Aug. 18, 2001
Aug. 18, 2001
TOKYO, JAPAN-Slick-punching WBA #10 ranked Kinji Amano(right photo) (19-5-3, 9 KOs), 129.5, was befuddled by the tenacity and durability of Tetsuya Iba (10-6-1, 7 KOs), 130, but kept his Japanese natiojnal 130-pound title by a unanimous decision over 10.
Amano had entered the WBA's top ten thanks to his upset decision over then world-rated Koji Arisawa here last March. Amano, making his first defense, had a very tough time as the Japanese #3 Iba made a good start and took the leadoff.
But Amano took back the pace from the 4th round on by outjabbing and countering the game opponent. The champ had Iba at bay in the 8th, but Iba desperately withstood his assault and displayed his incredible heart. Amano had better sophisticate his defensive skill, though his offensive skill might be evaluated.
Japanese No.7 ranked feather Momotaro Kitajima (18-2, 12 KOs), 128, weathered furious retaliations of Naoya Hirahara (13-9-2, 9 KOs) and finally battered him with unanswered punches to prompt the referee's intervention at 2:45 of the 9th canto.
It was as furious a battle as the main event with each exchanging desperate combinations toe-to-toe. Kitajima dominated the pace and made him groggy in the 7th. But the 8th saw Hirahara regain his zip and whip him to the punch. In the fatal 9th, Hirahara's assault continued to bring Kitajima to the standstill, but he became visibly tired and slowing down. Kitajima, who had decked a 6-round decision over currently world ranked bantam Toshiaki Nishioka (who will have a second shot at the WBC 118-pound crown against Veerapol Nakornluang-Promotion in Yokohama on Sept. 1), finally caught the exhausted opponent with a fusillade of punches, and the ref declared a halt.
Promoter: Kokusai Promotions.
(7-18-01)