August 26, 2002
August 26, 2002
SAITAMA, JAPAN-Masamori Tokuyama (27-2, 8 KOs)(right photo), 114.75, kept his WBC super-fly belt as he made good use of left uppercuts to the face so effectively as to have the right optic of Mexican Erik Lopez (17-13-3, 13 KOs), 115, completely closed and halted him at the end of the 6th round in Saitama, Japan.
The much taller champ, making his 5th defense since winning the title in 2000, kept his distance and utilized his left hand to keep him from coming into the range. Lopez, ex-WBC Continental Americas champ, attempted to land roundhouse punches but couldn’t catch the elusive champ.
Frank Cappuccino, a US referee, had Lopez’s badly swollen eye examined by a ring physician, and then wisely declared a halt.
Scored after the 6th: Oren Shellenberger (US) 60-54, Gerald Ritter (US) and Franz Marti (Thailand) both 59-55, all for Tokuyama, a North Korean residing in Osaka.
Tokuyama will make his mandatory defense against top ranked Gerry Penalosa in Osaka in November.
Fast-rising unbeaten Thai import Eagle Okuda (4-0, 2 KOs), 106.25, decked an important victory by pounding out a shutout decision (100-90 twice and 100-89) over WBC #4 ranked Noel Tunacao (38-6-2, 15 KOs), 107, over 10.
Okuda was an aggressor all the way, battering the more experienced Filipino from all angles and having him take a standing count at the ropes in the 6th. Okuda, powerful and sharp, is one of the brightest prospects to be regarded as a future world champ.
Promoter: Kanazawa Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi.
(8-26-02)