February 19, 2001
February 19, 2001
TOKYO, JAPAN-Japanese #3 ranked super-light Kokichi Tanaka(right photo), 135, dropped southpaw Masaki Sawanaga, JBC #9 super-light, 134 1/2, but sustained a nasty gash to be awarded a technical decision at 2:16 of the 6th round in a scheduled 10.
Scored: 49-46, 49-45 and 50-46, all for the lanky puncher Tanaka, 17-6-1, 9 KOs. Sawanaga fell to 11-5-2, 5 KOs.
Imported Russian Alexandr Bakhine, 117 3/4, made his debut and earned a sluggish decision over ex-world challenger Pone Saengmorakot, 117 1/2, over 8.
Bakhtine, whose amateur mark was 124-4, 80 stoppages, could not show his expected talent in a less active affair. The Thai loser dropped to 22-5, 9 KOs.
Another imported Russian Matvei Tsyndyjapov, 125 3/4, displayed a very fine form in flooring ex-Thai feather champ Khumphoon Eausamphan, 126, twice in the opening canto and impressively halted him with a furious follow-up at 2:26 in the second round of a scheduled 8.
Tsyndyajapov, who also had a good amateur record of 74-10, 37 KOs, decked his professional debut so finely as to be expected highly by the crowd. Kumphoon dipped to 23-7-1, 14 KOs.
Will they be able to become shining such stars here in Japan as Yuri Arbachakov?
Promoter: Kyoei Promotions.
(2-19-01)