March 24, 2002
March 24, 2002
HACHIOJI, JAPAN-Japanese middle champ Satoru Suzuki(right photo) (16-3, 10 KOs), 159.75, successfully kept his national title when he downed previously unbeaten top contender Toshiyuki Inazawa (8-1, 4 KOs), 159, to the ropes in the third to pound out a nearly shutout decision over 10 lousy rounds in Hachioji, Japan.
Suzuki, making his 6th defense, wrested the national title via upset TKO over future OPBF champ Naotaka Hozumi in August 2000, and lately scored a string of KO wins over the challengers including former two-time national champ Hiroyuki Yoshino.
But Suzuki didn’t look sharp and strong this night, as he missed many roundhouse rights without throwing jabs though piling up points steadily due to his aggressiveness. Having his opponent’s face badly swollen, Suzuki attempted to finish the affair in the last three rounds, but failed to catch the groggy rival because of his lack of precision.
Ex-Japanese feather champ Eugenio Yuji Gomez(left photo) (14-2, 13 KOs), a Puerto Rican residing in Japan, 125.5, returned to the ring warfare since his forfeiture of his belt to Eiichi Sugama by a 6th round TKO last September, and made short work of Thailand’s #8 super-bantam Suksawadi Kiatchaiyong (8-8, 2 KOs), 124.75, at 1:08 of the opening canto in a scheduled 10.
The very muscular Gomez’s devastating right was the haymaker that produced a quick demolition. Gomez may fight so regularly as to regain his previous zip and power punching, which is highly anticipated by our crowd.
Promoter: Hachioji Nakaya Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi (as for the Gomez vs. Suksawadi bout).
(3-24-02)
March 24, 2002
GIFU, JAPAN-WBC #13 ranked 108-pounder Takayuki Korogi (9-2-2, 3 KOs), 111, lost an upset unanimous decision to Japanese #8 fly Yusuke Moriyama (10-1-4, 1 KO), 112.5, over 10 rounds in Gifu, Japan.
The 20-year-old Moriyama kept stalking the ex-national champ dethroned by Keisuke Yokoyama last September and displayed his busier hands.
Scored: 97-96, 100-98 and 97-95, all for the upcoming speedster.
Unranked Yasuo Kunimi (9-4-4, 3 KOs), 124.5, gained a unanimous nod over Indonesian 122-pound champ Virgo Warou (14-5-1, 3 KOs), 122.75, over 10.
Scored: 98-95, 100-97 and 98-96, all in favor of the much taller Kunimi who scored incessant combinations to the face and breadbasket.
Unranked prospect Sunao Uno (9-2-2, 6 KOs), 121.5, swept the last three sessions to earn a close but unanimous decision (100-97, 98-96 and 98-95) over Korean #2 ranked super-bantam Yunchul Yuh (7-11-2, 1 KO), 121.5, over 10.
Promoter: Gifu Yokozeki Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi (as for the Uno vs. Yuh bout).
(3-24-02)