## EX-JAPANESE CHAMP KOJI AND UNRANKED KATABUCHI HIT THE DECK EACH TWICE TO A MAJORITY DRAW

March 4, 2002

TOKYO, JAPAN-Formerly world-rated Koji Arisawa (26-2-2, 20 KOs), ex-Japanese national 130-pound champ, 132.25, and unranked and unheralded Gota Katabuchi (7-2-3, 3 KOs), 132, dropped each other, each twice, en route to a majority draw in 10 see-saw rounds in Tokyo, Japan.

Scored: 93-93, 94-94 and 94-93 for Katabuchi.

Arisawa, then highly rated in the top ten by the WBA and the WBC, had lost his national title to Kinji Amano on an upset decision after a grueling battle last year.

Katabuchi surprisingly dropped the ex-champ with a smashing right in the opening canto. The second saw Arisawa drop him back with a vicious left hook. But Katabuchi sent the preflight favorite sprawling to the deck again with a solid right in the 4th.

Katagiri seemed to be in command by a slight margin in the 5th through 8th sessions, utilizing hit-and-run tactics to avert mixing up with the more powerful ex-champ.

The Japanese #2 and the OPBF #5 ranked Arisawa, in round nine, absorbed good punishment by his opponent, but floored him with a jolting overhand right.

The 10th and final round was a thriller, as Arisawa desperately attacked, Katabuchi furiously retaliated, and the former landed a wicked right hook to have the latter on the brink of a knockdown with Katabuchi barely rescued by the final bell.

The give-and-take affair duly won the great praise of all the spectators at the Korakuen Hall. No one would have expected Katabuchi to show such a fine performance against the much more experienced Arisawa.

Promoter: Soka Arisawa Promotions.

(3-4-02)

Back to Oriental Boxing

Go to Top