TOKYO, JAPAN-Slick-punching lefty footworker Masakazu Satake (14-2-4, 8 KOs), 139.75, impressively retained his OPBF 140-pound belt as he swept almost all rounds before flattening Hironari Oshima (15-2, 11 KOs), 139.75, at 1:33 of the 12th and final round in Tokyo, Japan.
Satake, making his 5th defense, gave a lesson to the fast-rising and very popular prospect, piling up points with great ease. The final session saw Satake accelerate his assault and connect with accurate combos, sending him prone to win the praise of the crowd.
Scored after 11th: Morita 109-103, Sarasas 109-102, and Kumazaki 110-103.
Thanks to Oshima’s popularity, the Korakuen Hall was packed with a sell-out crowd.
December 10, 2001
On the same card, unheralded Tatsuo Hayashida (11-2-1, 6 KOs), 108, Japan, surprisingly wrested the OPBF 108-pound title when he upset WBC #8 ranked Pilkoo Kang (9-6, 5 KOs), 108, Korea, by a split but popular decision over 12.
Hayashida kept punching the more powerful Korean with precsion and averting the champ’s roundhouse blows. Kang’s best was seen in the 8th, when he caught the smaller Japanese and sent him reeling to the deck. But Hayashida, handled by ex-WBA 108-pound champ Katsuo Tokashiki, came back fighting with busier combinations.
Scored: referee Brad Vocale (Australia) 115-112 and Masakazu Uchida (Japan) 117-112, both for Hayashida, and Namchul Park (Korea) 115-114 for Kang.
Co-promoters: Tokashiki and Cheyenne Hasegawa Promotions in association with Misako Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi.
(12-10-01)