August 27, 2001
YOKOHAMA, JAPAN-Hard-hitting super-fly prospect Katsushige Kawashima (19-2, 13 KOs), 118, swept the last three rounds to pound out a close but well-received unanimous decision over ex-WBA champ Yokthai Sith-Oar (23-3-1, 13 KOs), 118, Thailand, over 10.
Scored: Sugiyama and Fukuchi both 97-95, and Abe 97-96, all for the upcoming Kawashima, handled by ex-WBA & WBC minimum champ Hideyuki Ohashi.
It was a good and speedy bout with both exchanging hot rallies entertaining the crowd all the way. Kawashima, who had failed to win the OPBF bantam belt via hard-fought but unanimous verdict to Filipino veteran Jess Maca, took the leadoff with his opening attack. But Yokthai came back with sickle-like uppercuts to dominate the 4th.
It became a very close affair thereafter. But Kawashima accelerated his attack to occasionally have him backpedaling with his desperate surge in the last three sessions, which carried him to an important victory.
Kawashima, who will enter the WBA's top ten thanks to this triumph, is gunning for a shot at either of the world 115-pound titles against Celes Kobayashi or Masamori Tokuyama, both of Japan.
Shingo Eguchi (8-1, 6 KOs), 137, sent Thailander Muangmai Sisthobha (8-6, 4 KOs), 134.5, sprawling to the deck with a wicked body shot in the opening canto and demolished him at 0:30 of the second round.
Naoki Matsuda (14-6-2, 6 KOs), 121.25, pummeled Haruki Tsuchiya (10-5, 5 KOs), 121.25, into submission at 1:59 of the 4th round.
Promoter: Ohashi Sports Promotions.
(8-27-01)