August 25, 2001
August 25, 2001
YOKOHAMA, JAPAN-Unbeaten left hooker Yutaka Niida(right photo) (14-0-3, 7 KOs), 103.5, Japan, captured the WBA 105-pound title as he displayed good opening attacks and withstood the defending champ's last surge to earn a close but unanimous decision over Chana Porpaoin (44-2-2, 16 KOs), 105, Thailand, over 12.
Scored: Derek Milham (Australia) 116-113, Silvestre Abainza (Philippines) 116-113, and Muhong Moon (Korea) 116-115, all for Niida.
Niida, 22, was positive enough to win points in the first three rounds, while the 35-year-old Porpaoin patiently probed the younger Japanese boy's strategy. The veteran Thailander began to maintain the pressure on the shorter opponent from the 4th round on, and the tide turned busily until the end.
Porpaoin was in command in the 4th, but Niida landed a solid left hook to almost stun the champ, winning the 5th. Porpaoin appeared to have dominated the 6th through 8th with aggressive rallies.
Niida, handled by ex-Orient feather champ Mitsunori Seki, turned loose and scored good left hooks to the face to take a point in the 9th. But Porpaoin roughly attacked the youngster to win the 10th, and Niida gamely connected with stronger combinations to take the 11th. The champ showed his pride and determination by displaying his desperate combos in the 12th and fatal canto.
It was a very close affair, but Niida showed more effective aggressiveness than the cagey champ to become the 11th Japanese to seize the world throne undefeated. Steve Smoger, the referee from the US, described the fight as a clean and easy fight to handle.
The newly crowned Niida will be obliged to fight ex-champ Joma Gamboa in his first defense here.
Promoter: Yokohama Hikari Promotions in association with Teiken Promotions.
WBA supervisor: York Van Nixon (US).
(8-25-01)