## ALEXANDER MUNOZ, 21-0, 21 KOs, ARRIVES IN JAPAN

March 3, 2002

TOKYO, JAPAN-WBA top ranked 115-pounder Alexander Munoz, who boasts of his perfectly unblemished mark of 21-0, 21 KOs, arrived in Tokyo in preparation for his mandatory shot at the WBA super-fly throne against Japanfs Celes Shoji Kobayashi at Budokan (Martial Arts Hall), Tokyo, on March 9.

The hard-punching Venezuelan, whose amateur record was 163-9, 129 stoppages, will be a most dangerous challenger against Kobayashi, a durable southpaw, 24-4-3, 14 KOs.

Kobayashi, 29 and 6 years his senior, dethroned Venezuelan veteran Leo Gamez by a 10th round TKO in March of the previous year, and kept it once by a hairline decision over another Venezuelan Jesus Kiki Rojas last September.

Munoz is reportedly the most expected prospect in Venezuela. He scored an important triumph over ex-WBA fly champ Sornpichai Kratindaeng-Gym via 5th round TKO in December, 2000 to become a perennial top contender. Munoz is a preflight favorite among fight fans here, but Kobayashi depends on his incredible durability and stamina, so if it should go to a late stage of a fight, the Japanese lefty will have a good chance to outhustle the highly reputed hard-hitter.

(3-3-02)

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