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.
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)
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.
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)