## WBC #20 NAKA KEEPS JAPANESE BANTAM TITLE, AND SUGAMA UPSET BY HONMO

October 18, 2000

AMAGASAKI, JAPAN-Unbeaten national bantam champ Nobuaki Naka, 118, ran his mark to 13-0, 10 KOs, as he dropped hard-punching Shigeru Nakazato, 117 3/4, in the 9th and final rounds en route to a unanimous decision to retain his title in a hard-fought 10.

Wbc #20 ranked Naka was forced to mix up with the durable opponent as Nakazato, 17-5, 12 KOs, positively rallied with his determination. It was a nearly even contest after the 8th, but the champ showed his heart and power in flooring the game foe twice in the last two sessions to confirm his triumph.

### Undercard:

An upset happened! The featherweight division in Japan is full of bright prospects, and some of our aficionados say hard-punching KO artist Eiichi Sugama is the best of all.

Highly expected Eiichi Sugama, 125 1/2, Japanfs #3 ranked contender, unexpectedly dropped an upset decision to slick-punching Powerful Honmo, 125, over 10.

Sugama, 18-2, 15 KOs, failed to score his vaunted finisher due to Honmofs excellent defensive skill all night. Japanfs #6 ranked Honmo of Tokyo, whose real name is Nobuto Honmo, went to Osaka as an underdog, but decked a surprising victory that bettered his ledger to 14-3-1, 3 KOs.

Promoter: Keishiro Kojimafs Amagasaki Promotions.

(10-18-00)

## UNBEATEN TOMIMOTO AWARDED TECHNICAL DECISION

October 18, 2000

TOKYO, JAPAN-Former medalist of Asian Games, Norihisa Tomimoto, 121 1/2, decked his 5th pro bout when he was awarded a well-received technical decision over upcoming Yoshikane Nakajima, 122, at 2:58 of the 6th round in a scheduled 10.

Nakajima had beaten then Japanfs #1 contender Hirohisa Ishikawa, also rated by the WBC, on an upset decision to move up to No.3 of the JBCfs 118-pound ratings. But the taller southpaw Tomimoto proved too sharp and smart for Nakajima, a gutsy infighter, frequently countering him to pile up points steadily.

Scored after the 5th: Morita 50-47, Uratani 49-46 and Tezaki 49-47, all for Tomimoto, 4-0-1, 1 KO. The loser fell to 8-5-3, 1 KO.

### Undercard:

Unbeaten ex-amateur prospect Ken Nakajima, 111 3/4, carved out a shutout decision over Thailander Chainarong Eminent, 106, over 6. Nakajima, 3-0, 2 KOs, looked promising. The Thai loser dipped to 5-5, 1 KO.

Promoter: Hiroshi Saitofs Kokubunji Saito Promotions.

(10-18-00)

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