January 11, 2003
TOKYO, JAPAN-Slick-punching footworker Nobuhito Honmo, 130, made best use of his faster hands and feet in copping a nearly shutout decision over top contender Kazuhiro Fujita, a karate kid at 129, to retain his Japanese 130-pound belt in Tokyo.
Honmo, making his first defense, utilized his left jab and lateral movement all the way to avert Fujitafs powerful punching. Scored: 100-91, 100-94 and 99-91, all for Honmo, 21-4-1, 5 KOs. Fujita, a karate expert, failed to catch the elusive champ and fell to 15-3, 8 KOs.
This was the first card held in Japan this year, and was also the first of the annual Carnival of Champions in which all the national champs must defend their belts against the top contenders in the first defenses of this year.
Upcoming puncher Yusuke Kobori (9-1, 5 KOs), 130, displayed his trade-mark left hook, dropped a lanky southpaw named Jaguar Tetsuya (11-2, 7 KOs), 130, in the opening session and earned a unanimous nod (98-93, 97-94 and 98-93) despite the loserfs tremendous resilience and durability over 10.
Promoter: Kadoebi Jewel Promotions.
(1-11-03)