## UNBEATEN WBC #20 NAKA KEEPS JAPANESE BANTAM TITLE BY 4TH ROUND TECHNICAL DRAW WITH #26 MINORIYAMA

May 26, 2002

AMAGASAKI, JAPAN-Unbeaten WBC #20 ranked Japanese bantam champ Nobuaki Naka (15-0-2, 10 KOs), 118, barely kept his belt as the bloodied champ was held to a technical draw by #26 Ryuichi Minoriyama (9-3-3, 4 KOs), 117.25, at 2:31 of the 4th round in Amagasaki, Japan.

It was a grudge fight since Naka barely retained his title by a highly disputed majority draw (a judge favoring Minoriyama) in Osaka last February. The Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) sanctioned their direct rematch due to the hot controversy.

Naka, previously serving as sparring partner for Marco Antonio Barrera in Mexico, sustained such a bad gash at the right eyebrow caused by an accidental butt just 30 seconds into the opening canto, when Minoriyama repeatedly had the champ staggering with jolting left hooks.

The champ, however, started fireworks with strong pressure in the second, and took a point by shaking him up with a solid straight right in the third.

Minoriyama, in the fatal 4th, was penalized a point because of his repeated holding, and the ring physician examined the gory champ for the 5th time and advised the ref to stop the proceedings.

The more stylish Minoriyama, ex-national high school champ, again failed to win the national belt with another drawn verdict.

Promoter: Amagasaki Promotions.

(5-26-02)

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