October 5, 2002
OSAKA, JAPAN-Unbeaten Philippine 140-pound champ and the OPBF top contender Dindo Castanares (11-0-1, 8 KOs), 140.25, had a narrow escape in the 4th, gamely fought back hard and drew with upcoming Japanese prospect Daigoro Yamamoto (4-1-1, 4 KOs), 141, over 10 heats in Osaka, Japan.
It was a hard-fought battle. Yamamoto, a less experienced but hard-hitting local favorite, made an opening attack to take the initiative, and had Castanares at bay with a solid right shot in the 4th. The Japanese attempted to finish him with desperate combos, with which he became visibly tired afterward.
Castanares was in command in the 5th through 9th. Yamamoto was penalized a point for holding the Filipinofs arm in the 6th. But the Japanese youngster furiously attacked him in the 10th and final round to have the drawn verdict well-received by the crowd. Itfs a very good fight.
Promoter: Kanazawa Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi.
(10-5-02)