August 5, 2002
TOKYO, JAPAN-WBC #7 Tatsuo Hayashida (13-2-1, 7 KOs), 107.5, kept his OPBF 108-pound title as he displayed his busier, if not more powerful, punching all the way en route to a unanimous decision over the top OPBF contender Jinho Kim (14-6, 5 KOs), 108, over 12 heats in Tokyo, Japan.
Hayashida, making his second defense, proved more aggressive with accurate right shots than the taller and sturdier Korean, piling up points steadily. Kim, who had failed to win the WBA 105-pound belt via decision to Chana Porpaoin in 1995, missed plenty of punches to the elusive champ.
Scored: Ukrid Sarasas (Thailand) 119-112, Masakazu Uchida (Japan) 119-112, and Kwangwoo Lee (Korea) 116-114, all for Hayashida.
The champ, the son of a buddist priest, is gunning for a shot at the world 105 or 108 pound title in the near future.
WBC #21 light-fly Shingo Yamaguchi (12-3-1, 6 KOs), 108.75, decked Thailander Prakarn Twins-Gym (3-5, 1 KO), 106.75, twice and stopped him at 2:18 of the second round.
Promoter: Tokashiki Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi.
(8-5-02)
August 4, 2002
TOKYO, JAPAN-WBA #14 light-fly Kazuo Okada (11-1-1, 5 KOs), 112, struggled to earn a majority decision over unranked trial horse Akira Matsuo (8-8-1, 2 KOs), 112, over 10 in Tokyo, Japan.
Okada, who had fortunately entered the WBA ratings thanks to his upset triumph over ex-OPBF ruler Koki Tanaka last year, had the upper hand in the first half, but Matsuo showed his determination to have him at bay in the 7th and 9th.
Scored: 97-95, 96-95 and 96-96 for Okada, 30, whose lack of finesse was revealed by the underdog.
Promoter: Rocky Promotions.
(8-4-02)
August 3, 2002
TOKYO, JAPAN-Unbeaten Japanese #6 lightie Chikashi Inada (10-0, 7 KOs), 136.5, floored Mexican Julio Gamez (11-3, 6 KOs), 139.75, four times and pounded out a shutout decision over 10 in Tokyo, Japan.
Japanese #3 bantam Hisataka Ikemori (17-5-3, 9 KOs), 120.25, halted unranked Takayuki Matsuo (6-4-1, 4 KOs), 119.25, with the loserfs corner tossing in the towel at 0:46 of the 7th canto.
Promoter: Teiken Promotions.
(8-3-02)
August 2, 2002
OSAKA, JAPAN-WBC #5 super-welter Akira Ohigashi (36-7-3, 24 KOs), 160, floored overmatched Filipino Rolando Puritos (12-17-5, 2 KOs), 153.25, at 1:23 of the second round in Osaka, Japan.
WBA #15 super-bantam Akihiro Kanai (17-1, 14 KOs), 124.5, easily finished Filipino #10 super-fly Daniel Diolan (14-12-2, 5 KOs), 124, at 3:09 of the third round.
Kanai had failed to win the OPBF 122-pound belt due to a first round annihilation by Yongin Cho last December.
Promoter: Taiho Promotions.
(8-2-02)