## SATAKE KEEPS OPBF SUPER-LIGHT TITLE BY IMPRESSIVE KO OVER AUSTRALIAN MARKS

April 16, 2000
AKASHI, JAPAN-Fleet-footed southpaw MASAKAZU SATAKE(right photo), 139 3/4, kept his OPBF super-light throne as displayed remarkable defensive skill and superb counterpunching, dropped Australian champ STEVEN MARKS, 139 3/4, in the second session and finally caught him with a smashing left to finish him at 2:30 of the 10th round.

It was a great surprise even for his adherents at his native place that Satake showed such a fine performance in outspeeding the aggressive and willing mixer Marks and averting almost all strong shots the Aussie threw.

The second round witnessed Satake land a very solid southpaw left and topple him for the mandatory 8 count. Marks kept on coming to catch the elusive champ, but Satake countered him and quickly moved away from the range, piling up points steadily.

Marks seemed to be in command only in the 4th and 7th, and Satake dominated the remainder of the contest.

In the fatal 10th, Satake scored very accurate combinations followed by an electrifying left at the face. Marks fell prone, and referee David Chung, Korea, wisely declared a halt without counting as Marks hit the canvas on the back head. (In this case, in Japan, it is registered as a KO, not a TKO, as it was obvious that the third man will be able to count the fatal ten.)

The WBC #15 ranked Satake raised his credentials to 9-2-4, 5 KOs. He scored his first defense of the OPBF 140-pound throne, as he captured the regional diadem by outlegging Korean Jongkil Kim en route to a split but well-received decision in Takasago last December. Satake's reflexes in averting his opponent's punches were so superb as to stun the crowd as well as Marks. Furthermore, Satake showed his tremendous speed and very snappy punches to effectively hurt the onrushing rival. He looked so excellent as if he wasn't what he used to be. Probably he had gained his confidence since his coronation by beating the durable and dangerous Kim.

Marks, who attempted what was necessary to beat the lefty champ, dropped to 6-3-1, 3 KOs. But he showed his determination and skill to prove he was the Australian national champ.

### UNDERCARDS

Philippine bantam champ RICKY GAYAMO, 120 3/4, floored game and gutsy AKIRA EBISUOKA(right photo), 123, with a fine combination in the 7th and pounded out a unanimous decision over 10.

Scored: 98-95, 99-93 and 97-95, all for Gayamo, who kept punching and stalking the Japanese rival all night. Gayamo, who lately dethroned national champ Joel Junio last Dec., bettered his ledger to 22-12-2, 9 KOs. Ebisuoka impaired to 19-7-1, 4 KOs.

Promoter: JM Kakogawa Promotions in association with Akashi Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi.
(4-16-00)

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