May 27, 2000
SAKAI, JAPAN-Comebacking Japanese #5 feather Haruhiko Okuda, 125 1/2, outjabbed Thailandfs Yodsingchai Sasiprabha, 123 1/2, and finally sank him for the count with a vicious left hook following a solid body shot at 1:05 of the 5th round.
The lanky hard-puncher Okuda, 19-2-1, 14 KOs, had failed to win the national 126-pound belt via come-from-behind TKO route at the hand of Toshikage Kimura in Tokyo last year. Okuda, handled by ex-WBC and WBA top bantam contender and ex-OPBF champ Eijiro Murata (who fought Jeff Chandler thrice and Lupe Pintor once for the world thrones), has won all since his failure to annex the Japanese crown.
Yodsingchai, who once had Okuda staggering with a good left hook, dipped to 17-6-1, 9 KOs.
Unbeaten Noriyuki Komatsu (10-0-4, 4 KOs), JBCfs #5 light fly, 113 1/4, made short work of Thailander Gamwonwan Sithsobha (8-3, 4 KOs), 112 1/2, finishing him with a wicked right hook to the face at 2:39 into the opening canto in a supporting ten.
Promoter: Eijiro Muratafs Eddie Taunsend Promotions.
(5-27-01)