August 26, 2001
NAGOYA, JAPAN-Ex-Japanese super-feather champ Ryuhei Sugita (20-1-1, 17 KOs), 130.5, landed a wicked body shot to flatten Thai feather champ Saengsi Poh Chaiwatana (11-4, 7 KOs), 129.5, at 1:10 of the 5th round.
Japanese No.2 ranked 130-pounder Sugita had suffered his sole setback in his last successful crack at the OPBF title against WBC #5 ranked Tiger Ari, but showed a good form in his first appearance since.
Upset! Japanese No.1 ranked super-feather Kinzo Nakamura (15-2-1, 8 KOs), 132.25, suffered an unexpected TKO by unranked Yoshihiko Shimoda (8-6, 4 KOs), 132.25, due to his nasty gash by a legal punch by the underdog at 0:46 of the 7th round.
Scores after the 6th: 57-57, 58-58, and 59-56 for Shimoda who showed his tremendous determination. The upset winner will be ranked in the next Japanese ratings thanks to this upset triumph.
Co-promoters: Space K and Hatanaka Promotions.
(8-26-01)