## EX-NATIONAL CHAMP HOSHINO MAKES COMEBACK

February 1, 2000
TOKYO, JAPAN-Formerly world-rated ex-Japanese national minimum champ KEITARO HOSHINO, 107 1/4, made a fine comeback after a 17-month inactivity as he smartly counterpuched an onrushing KEISUKE YOKOYAMA, Japan's #4 ranked light fly, 106 1/2, winning a unanimous nod over 10.

It's our great surprise that Hoshino was still so sharp after a rather long layoff as to outmaneuver the game and more powerful opponent and sweep the second half convincingly.

Scored-Fukuchi 98-94, Tezaki 98-96 and Sarasas 97-95, all for Hoshino, 17-6, 5 KOs. Yokoyama, who threw twice as many punches as his conqueror, fell to 12-7-2, 7 KOs.

It's a sort of grudge fight, since Hoshino had wrested the national title via a 8th round TKO of Yokoyama in Aug., 1996. Since then, Hoshino kept it five times to be rated by the WBC and the WBA. But he lost his motivation to fight on after his 5th defense against Hiroshi Nakajima, the current OPBF 105-pound champ, in Sept., 1998. The slick-punching speedster renounced his national title, hang up gloves and started working in a Chinese restaurant. Probably he became tired of boiling Chinese noodle everyday and decided to return to action.

Yokoyama, once managed by ex-world junior light champ Yoshiaki Numata, moved up to the 108-pound division. Despite his hard-punching ability loved by our aficionados he couldn't beat such name opponents as world-rated Panieng Okuda and ex-WBA 105-pound champ Chana Porpaoin, both losing on points. Yokoyama, however, seemed a dangerous opposition for the comebacking Hoshino, who proved to be still too skillful and smart for the game but less scientific Yokoyama.

This triumph will have Hoshino rated highly by the JBC, and may have an opportunity to regain the national title now held by Makoto Suzuki, a fast-improving hard-hitter.

### UNDERCARDS:

Highly expected ex-amateur star NORIHISA TOMIMOTO, 122, was held to a technical draw by TETSUYA MORISHITA, 121 1/4, at 1:40 of the 4th round in his second pro bout despite his lopsided processing.

Lefty Tomimoto, formerly a bronze medalist in the Asian Games with an amateur mark of 87-16, appeared too strong for Morishita, sweeping first three rounds and dropping him with a vicious left in the third. Morishita sustained a bad gash over the righ eyebrow, which the ring doctor saw too bad for him to go on.

Tomimoto, scouted by a promoter Hiroshi Saito, his senior of Alma Mater, Chuoh Univ., is 1-0-1, no KO. The tall southpaw will zoom up to be a top notcher in the nearest future. Morishita, from Nagoya, fell to 8-12-3, 2 KOs.

Ex-Philippine minimum champ JERRY PAHAYAHAY, 109, dropped less experienced MASAMITSU IKEDA, 108, with a solid left hook in the opening canto, gave him a lesson and pounded out a unanimous decision (78-75, 79-74 and 78-75) over 8.

The crafty Filipino, Pahayahay, reportedly 35-30, 13 KOs, toyed with the awkward lefty all the way. This reporter scored 79-72 for Pahayahay. Ikeda, managed by ex-WBA champ Katsuo Tokashiki, fell to 6-4, 2 KOs.

Promoter: Hiroshi Saito's Kokubunji Saito Promotions.
(2-1-00)

### UNREPORTED RESULT

Jan. 23
NASE-Unranked KATSUYA IWASHITA, 137, decisioned KOJI OTSUKA, 137 1/4, over 10. The winner is 8-3-3, 4 KOs. The loser dropped to 7-5-2, 6 KOs.

Promoter: Chikho Promotions.
(1-23-00)

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