February 4, 2002
TOKYO, JAPAN-Unbeaten WBC super-bantam champ Willie Jorrin (28-0, 13 KOs), CA, and Japanese challenger Osamu Sato (25-1-1, 14 KOs) both tipped the beam at 122, the class limit, for tomorrow’s title bout at Ariake Coliseum, Tokyo.
Sato, ex-OPBF champ, has scored 18 wins in a row to emerge as one of the best prospects in the division. Sato, 25, dethroned Korean Yongin Cho via 12 round decision last April and kept it once by disposing of Thai champ Wichit Chuwatana in 11 rounds in September. The fast-rising boxer-puncher then renounced his regional belt to prepare for this crack at the world throne.
Jorrin, 32, now trained by Freddie Roach, acquired the vacant WBC belt by a highly controversial verdict over Michael Brodie in September, 2000, and retained it once by another disputed decision over an aggressive Mexican Oscar Larios in January of the previous year. The shorter, fast-moving and slick-punching Jorrin has been inactive for more than 12 months since.
If Sato, a good combination puncher, can keep outhustling the champ with his persistent attack all night, he may have a chance to dethrone Jorrin. But Jorrin’s countering right must be respected as shown in his public workout. It will become a good fight.