## WBA #12 RANKED MAEDA RETAINS JAPANESE SUPER-LIGHT TITLE

January 5, 2001
TOKYO, JAPAN-Four-time world challenger Hiroyuki Sakamoto (36-5, 26 KOs), 140, made a successful comeback after a 15-month inactivity as he furiously swarmed over Thailander Muangmai Sishsobha (8-7, 4 KOs), 138.75, dropping him three times en route to an automatic stoppage at 2:23 of the opening session. This was the first card staged here in Japan.

Ex-OPBF and national lightweight champ Sakamoto failed to win the world 135-pound belt, losing to Steve Johnston, Cesar Bazan, Gilberto Serrano and Takanori Hatakeyama with their titles at stake. Though rumored to hang up gloves for good after his 10th round KO defeat by Hatakeyama in October, 2000, Sakamoto, a crowd pleaser due to his trade-mark left hook, returned to the ring with a sellout crowd at the Korakuen Hall. He was still tremendously popular.

Sakamoto sent the awkward Thailander to the deck with a vicious left uppercut to the belly, and floored him twice more with his fierce combinations.

### Undercard:

Fast-rising import from Thailand, Eagle Okuda, 105, decked an important victory when he sank OPBF #2 ranked ex-IBF minimum champ Nico Thomas (25-11-2, 15 KOs), 105, with a wicked body shot at 0:56 of the third round.

Okuda, 2-0, 2 KOs, scouted by Japanfs Kadoebi Boxing Club, is a bright prospect with his hard-punching ability. He is gunning for an OPBF 105-pound throne. The imported Thai got married with a Japanese girl and will reside here to continue his fistic campaign.

Japanese #7 ranked feather Nobuhito Honmo (18-4-1, 4 KOs), 125.75, gave a lesson to less experienced Zanyu Shakuson (7-2-1, 3 KOs), 126.75, winning a shutout decision over 8.

Honmo boasts of his previous upset triumph over current Japanese 126-pound champ Eiichi Sugama. He swept all rounds but failed to finish the durable opponent. The loser was unique as he was a priest in a Japanese temple while he appeared in the squared ring.

Promoter: Kadoebi Jewel Promotions.

Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi.

(1-5-02)

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