## WATANABE WINS OPBF WELTER BELT FROM WBC #10 SANTILLAN

October 14, 2002

KOMAKI, JAPAN-Unheralded Hiroshi Watanabe (15-2-2, 11 KOs), 146, captured the OPBF welter belt when he was awarded a split decision over previously unbeaten WBC #10 ranked southpaw Rev Santillan (15-1-1, 12 KOs), 146, over 12 heats.

Scored: 116-114 and 116-113 for Watanabe, and 117-112 for Santillan. Santillan pressed the action all the way, but Watanabe kept moving around and occasionally scored solid shots to the face of the taller defending champ. It was their rematch, as Santillan had kept his regional belt on a split draw here last year.

### Undercard:

WBA #5 and WBC #5 122-pounder Kozo Ishii (29-3, 21 KOs), 123.75, failed to score an expected KO win, but pounded out a shutout decision (100-90, 100-93 and 100-91) over ex-Thai super-bantam ruler Wichit Chuwatana (26-12, 9 KOs), 123.75, over 10.

Promoter: Tenyu Maruki Promotions.

(10-14-02)

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