July 29, 2002
July 29, 2002
YOKOHAMA, JAPAN-Venezuelan ex-champ Noel Arambulet (16-2-1-1NC, 9 KOs), 105, regained the WBA minimum belt as he kept moving and punching all the way and withstood the desperate retaliation of the defending champ Keitaro Hoshino(right photo) (23-8, 6 KOs), 105, Japan, to earn a majority decision over 12 heats in Yokohama, Japan.
Scored: Derek Milham (Australia) 117-112, Erkki Meronen (Finland) 117-111, and Luis Rivera (US) 114-114.
The taller Venezuelan made a good start by throwing light but many punches to the cautious champ, who landed just a left hook at the Fancy Dan. Arambulet was in command on his hit-and-run tactics in the first five sessions.
Hoshino, 32, turned loose in the 6th, but Arambulet regained his initiative from the 7th round on. Hoshino occasionally scored good shots, but Arambulet fought back with faster combinations to the face and belly.
The final stanza saw Arambulet penalized a point for a low blow by South African referee Stanley Christodoulou, while Hoshino turned aggressive, if not with precision.
Reviewing the fast affair, Hoshino seemingly lacked his usual zip and sharpness, throwing less punches in his previous punches partly due to Arambuletfs incessant mobility.
This WBA 105-pound belt changed hands so busily as to see many champs born these years: Arambulet, Gamboa, Hoshino, Porpaoin, Niida(retired), Hoshino, and Arambulet. Since Gamboa, no champ was successful in his first defense.
Promoter: Hanagata Promotions in association with Teiken Promotions.
WBA supervisor: Gonzalo Lopez Silvero (US).
(7-29-02)