February 23, 2002
February 23, 2002
CHIBA, JAPAN-Korean Yosam Choi(right photo) (24-1, 13 KOs), 108, kept his WBC 108-pound belt as he responded to hot but light rallies of Japanese Shingo Yamaguchi(left photo) (11-3-1, 5 KOs), 106, with solid and effective counters with precision, dropped him with a vicious overhand right in the 9th and finally halted him at 2:18 of the 10th at Tokyo Bay NK Hall in Chiba.
Scored after the 9th: Victor Cervantes (Mexico) and Herbert Minn (US) both 89-81, and Brad Vocale (Australia) 88-82, all for the 29-year-old champ. It was a more furious give-and-take fight than the tallies indicated.
Yamaguchi, having won last 11 bouts straight, made a very good start with plenty of jabs and positive combinations in the opening session. Choi, making his third defense, found his range and began to take the initiative in the second.
The Japanese kept moving well and positively threw light but fast punches, which were averted by Choi’s tight defense. The Korean was in command with strong countering overhand rights, and occasionally shook up the game but less experienced opponent in the second through fifth sessions.
Yamaguchi sustained a gash caused by Choi’s right shots in the 6th, when he showed good combinations-if not so accurate and effective-by pinning the champ to the ropes despite the champ’s retaliation.
Choi turned loose in the 7th and followed up more furiously to make him a bloody mess and stagger him with a wicked right cross and looping left hook in the 8th.
Choi exploded his favorite overhand right to the neck of Yamaguchi, dropping him flat on the deck for a while. The Japanese promptly pulled himself up and gamely resumed fighting with the rubbery legs only to be saved by the bell.
Yamaguchi, in the 9th, desperately attempted to force him to the ropes with a fusillade of punches, but Choi beautifully countered with precision, almost toppling him in the center of the ring. The referee Bruce McTavish, a Philippines-based New Zealander, wisely declared a well-time stoppage to save him from further punishment.
The winner Choi will be obliged to meet the WBC interim champ Jorge Arce, Mexico, within 90 days.
The WBC #29 ranked OPBF heavyweight champ Peter Okhello (10-2, 9 KOs), 245.75, overwhelmed gallant but slower Auckland Aumatagui (3-2, 1 KO), 252.5, with his aggression, floored him in the third with a right cross and finally halted him at 1:30 of the 6th canto in a non-title 8.
The 6’4” Japan-based Ugandan utilized his longer and strong left hand, and often bounced him off the head. The 6th saw Peter bang him out with a lifting left uppercut followed by a vicious overhand right to prompt the ref to halt the proceedings.
Upcoming Keisuke Ayukawa (12-4-1, 9 KOs), 118, sent Thailander Daochai Sor Sor Gogym, 117, crashing to the deck twice and disposed of him at 0:13 of the second round.
Promoter: ex-WBA 108-pound champ Katsuo Tokashiki’s Tokashiki Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi (as for the main event and the Okhello-Aumatagui bout).
(2-23-02)