March 10, 2002
March 10, 2002
NAGOY, JAPAN-Hard-punching welter local favorite, OPBF #4 Hiroshi Watanabe(right photo) (14-2-2, 11 KOs), 151.25, returned to the ring warfare after his unfortunate traffic accident suffered just two days before his OPBF title shot against unbeaten Filipino Rev Santillan last November, and disposed of durable Thailander Ploienchai Kaeonamkham (2-3, 1 KO), 147.75, at 1:34 of the 9th round in a scheduled 10 in Nagoya, Japan.
The Thailander was a much better and tougher opponent than his credentials indicated, and frustrated Watanabe by repeatedly switch-hitting and holding, which cost him a couple of penalties in the 4th and 8th.
Watanabe, handled by ex-world challenger Takao Maruki, went out for a kill in the fatal 8th, and dropped him with a wicked body shot for the count.
The OPBF welter champ Rev Santillan will make his mandatory defense against #1 Yonghwa Choi, Korea, in Cebu, Philippines, on April 27, and the winner will accept a crack of Watanabe at the regional title in Nagoya on June 9, whichever may triumph.
Promoter: Tenryu Maruki Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi.
(3-10-02)