June 12, 2001
TOKYO, JAPAN-Unbeaten US military worker residing in Japan, WBC #6 ranked Kevin Palmer, 158.5, kept his OPBF middleweight belt as he proved sharper and faster for Korean champ Jinyul Song, 160, piled up points steadily and finally sank him for the count with vicious body shots at 3:10 of the 11th round.
The 35-year-old Palmer, 24-0-1, 15 KOs, remained aggressive and maintained the pressure on the slower OPBF top contender. Song, 33, was on the defensive all the way, though occasionally retaliating with fewer shots. The Korean, the elder twin brother of ex-OPBF 154-pound champ Kookyul Song, dropped to 9-4-1, 3 KOs.
Scored: referee Ukrid Sarasas (Thailand) 89-84, Kazunobu Asao (Japan) 90-84, and Chungkoo Choi (Korea) 87-85, all for Palmer.
Palmer will be obliged to move to Italy in September due to the US military order, but he will make another 7th defense against ex-Japanese champ Naotaka Hozumi here on August 1.
Japanfs #10 ranked feather Hidenobu Matsunobu, 132.25, ran his mark to 19-4-1, 15 KOs when he disposed of unranked Thailander Nuafar Sinjaiyai, 130.25, at 1:20 of the second round. Sinjaiyai, 5-4, 2 KOs, hit the deck three times in the fatal session.
Promoter: Kaneko Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi (as for the Palmer vs. Song main event).
(6-12-01)