January 20, 2001
TOKYO, JAPAN-Unheralded Masaki “Trash” Nakanuma, 112, amazingly scored an upset split but well-received decision over previously unbeaten Phanieng Okuda Sasiprabha, a Japan-based Thailander, 112, over 10.
Nakanuma, Japanese #8 ranked 108-pounder, covered himself very well against Phanieng’s left-right combinations, and retaliated with more effective body shots and left hooks to the face, piling up points in middle rounds. The shorter Japanese showed his best in the 9th, when he had the prohibitive favorite at bay with a flurry of punches.
Scored: 98-96 and 97-96 for Nakanuma (18-2, 6 KOs), and 97-96 for Phanieng (26-1, 11 KOs). Phanieng is the younger brother of ex-WBC 115-pound champ Payao Poonthalat.
Japanese #2 ranked super-feather Kinji Amano, 128, decked his tune-up go prior to his mandatory shot at Koji Arisawa’s national 130-pound title in April, as he blasted out Thailander Nuafer Sinchaiyai, 127 1/2, at 1:58 of the opening session (in a scheduled 10).
Amano, 17-5-3, 9 KOs, is a fast-rising speedster, who proved too much for the Thai loser, 8-14, 2 KOs.
Formerly three-time world challenger Shiro Yahiro, Japanese #2 fly, 113, experienced a crisis on the verge of hitting the deck in the 6th, but connected with a well-timed left hook to drop Thai fly champ Panomdej Auyuthanakorn, 113, at 2:06 of the 7th round.
Yahiro, a lanky veteran, lacked his previous sharpness only to mix up, being outhustled by the Thailander until the trick happened. He is 26-4-2, 15 KOs. Panomdej, a good loser, fell to 21-5, 7 KOs.
Promoter: Akihiko Honda’s Teiken Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi (as for the Yahiro vs. Panomdej bout).
(1-20-2001)