May 18, 2002
May 18, 2002
TOKYO, JAPAN-Rugged WBA #14 light fly Kazuo Okada (10-1-1, 5 KOs), 112(right photo), managed to earn a close but unanimous nod over durable lefty Takahiro Uomori (10-12-2, 3 KOs), 111.75, over 10 in Tokyo, Japan.
Okada had upset ex-OPBF 108-pound champ Koki Tanaka last August to enter the WBA’s top 15. The shorter but sturdy Okada kept smoking the southpaw opponent, who occasionally caught him with countering lefts to make it a close affair. But Okada proved superior in power, shaking up the puzzling lefty with roundhouse rights to carry himself to a victory. Scored: 97-95, 97-96 and 96-94, all for the still unskillful but powerful newcomer.
Unbeaten lanky lightie Chikashi Inada, 135.5, made it 9-0, 7 KOs by halting Korean Sangsun Park (7-10-1, 6 KOs), 136, at 1:47 of the 7th. The 5’10” Inada, ex-high school champ, completely outjabbed the tricky Korean, who absorbed so much punishment that his corner mercifully tossed in the towel to save him. Inada, who fought twice in the US under Top Rank’s promotional agreement, looks very promising.
Promoter: Rocky Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi (as for the Inada vs. Park bout)
(5-18-02)