October 10, 2000
TOKYO, JAPAN-Ex-WBA world junior fly champ Keiji Yamaguchi(right photo), 118, was surprisingly knocked out by an unheralded newcomer named Masayuki Arinaga(left photo), 118, with a southpaw right hook at 2:31 of the 4th round in a semi-final 10. Yamaguchi, who once wrested the WBA 108-pound title by beating Carlos Murillo, fell to 29-6-2, 11 KOs.
For Yamaguchi, WBC #16 ranked bantam, it’s just a tune-up go prior to his OPBF title shot against Jess Maca here on December 10. Arinaga, now 11-1, 7 KOs including this stunning KO win, had emerged from nowhere by stopping then WBC #25 ranked Wataru Yamaji in his previous bout.
Arinaga, WBC #26 ranked light fly but only Japanese #10 super-fly contender, wasn’t regarded as a real threat against the Hamed-like tricky ex-world champ. But Yamaguchi looked sluggish from the start in an encounter of southpaws probably due to his underestimation of his much less experienced opponent and insufficient preparation.
But Arinaga, an awkward rookie, attacked him hard, occasionally hitting the target to have Yamaguchi, much slower than usual, bewildered. His southpaw jabs had the ex-champ bleeding from the nostrils. Despite such a shaky start of Yamaguchi, no one imagined his defeat due to their great difference of experience.
Leading on points, the straightforward Arinaga connected with a southpaw right hook, staggering him to the ropes. Another right hook caught the jaw, sending Yamaguchi sprawling to the lowest rope as his pillow. His damage was such that the ref Kumazaki promptly declared a halt, which was really a stunning upset.
WBC #11 ranked Hiroshi Nakajima, 105, kept his OPBF minimum throne when he rained a flurry of light but busy combinations to the shorter tricky left Satoru Abe(right photo), WBA #8 ranked 105-pounder at the limit, prompting the ref Kazuo Abe to intervene at 2:07 of the 9th session.
The taller Nakajima often caught the lefty willing mixer with straight rights and right uppercuts, piling up points. Abe, who failed to win the WBA interim minimum title via a KO route by Joma Gamboa last December, showed his fighting spirit, but absorbed too much punishment with his wide-open guard.
Scored after the 8th: ref Abe 79-72, Kumazaki and Fukuchi both 80-73, all for Nakajima, 15-2, 2 KOs. Abe dropped to 23-4-2, 10 KOs.
Hard-punching lefty Hamed-stylist Satoshi Kogumazaka, 107 1/4, JBC #7 minimu, earned a majority nod over light-punching but game Ryo Kitano, 108, Japanese #7 light fly, over 10. Kogumazaka, training and fighting in Korea, bettered his mark to 13-5-3, 7 KOs. With more precision his power-punching will become a threat against the top notchers. Kitano impaired to 5-2, no KO.
Promoter: Hitoshi Watanabe’s Watanabe Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi (as for the main event of Nakajima vs. Abe)
(10-10-00)