July 6, 2001
OSAKA, JAPAN-WBC #11 ranked super-welter Akira Ohigashi, 159.75, returned to the ring warfare after his oft-postponed and finally cancelled shot at the WBC throne against Javier Castillejo, and scored an impressive one-punch KO of Thailandfs Sakkedao Kietphutorn, 157.75, at 2:55 of the second round.
Ohigashi, 33-7-2, 22 KOs, is still eager to have a crack at any world title in the 154-pound or 160-pound division. The Thailander fell to 4-7, 1 KO.
WBC #13 ranked bantam Akihiro Kanai, 123, proved too powerful and ferocious for Thailander Chaloemchat Kietprasanchai, 121.5, by embalming him at 2:34 of the third session.
Kanai, whose upset win over Mexican Cruz Carbajal put him into the WBC ratings, floored him with a vicious right to the temple. Though Chaloemchat barely pulled himself up, Kanai exploded another right to sink him for the count. The unbeaten Kanai raised his unblemished mark to 14-0, 11 KOs. The loser dipped to 8-4, 2 KOs.
Promoter: Taiho Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi.
(7-6-01)