February 22, 2002
TOKYO, JAPAN-The official weigh-in has been over. The WBC light-fly champ Yosam Choi, Korea, tipped the beam at 108 pounds, the limit of the division, and Japanese Shingo Yamaguchi 106.
The 29-year-old Choi, 23-1, 12 KOs, is a preflight favorite due to his superior experience and power-punching with which he dethroned Thailander Saman Sorjaturong in October, 1999. The Korean recession unfortunately prevented Choi from defending it regularly, and Choi kept his throne just twice during his 28-month reign, beating Chart Kiatpetch (KO5) and ex-champ Saman (KO7) to his credit.
Yamaguchi, 21 and 11-2-1, 5 KOs, lost twice and drew in his first three pro outings, but scored 11 wins straight since. The fast-rising youngster, handled by ex-WBA 108-pound champ Katsuo Tokashiki, upset world-rated national champ Keisuke Yokoyama by a non-title unanimous nod last December to be newly ranked by the WBC.
Choi is a prohibitive favorite, but Yamaguchi has nothing to lose in his ambitious crack at the world belt. The Korean persistently punches in the close range to wear down his opponent with his favorite body bombardments, but his one-year inactivity may or may not effect his performance. Yamaguchi, an upcoming speedster, may apply a hit-and-run strategy against the more experienced champ to aim to outscore the Korean by utilizing his fast hands.
Originally Choi was supposed to make his mandatory defense against perennial top contender Jorge Arce, Mexico, but this bout was repeatedly postponed in Korea and finally canceled. Arce then acquired the interim WBC belt by whipping Filipino lefty Juanito Rubillar and the WBC allowed Choi to make a voluntary defense under the condition that the Choi-Yamaguchi winner should face Arce in a WBC unification bout.
The WBC officials are as follows:
Referee Bruce McTavish (New Zealand), judges Victor Manuel Cervantes (Mexico), Herbert Minn (US) and Brad Vocale (Australia). The WBC supervisor is Dominador Cepeda (Philippines).
This world title bout starts at 1:30 pm tomorrow at Tokyo Bay NK Hall in Chiba, adjacent prefecture to Tokyo.
In a semi-final, the OPBF heavyweight champ Peter Okhello will engage in a non-title go with Aussie Auckland Aumatagui over 8 rounds.
(2-22-02)