February 1, 2003
TOKYO, JAPAN-WBC #8 lightie Kengo Nagashima, 135, appeared for the first time since his second round demolition by Sirimonkol Singwancha in a quest for the vacant WBC 130-pound belt last August, and displayed a fine southpaw form in stopping OPBF #8 ranked Korean top contender Kioh Kil, 135, at 0:26 into the 6th round in Tokyo.
After a 6-month hiatus Nagashima, ex-OPBF champ, was in command from the outset, battering Kil with fast combinations from all angles. An accidental butt opened a gash over the Korean’s right eyebrow, which obviously weakened him with the Japanese lefty’s continual assault. Kil’s corner tossed in the towel to save him from further punishment. Nagashima, who moved up to the 135-pound division, raised his mark to 22-2-1, 13 KOs. Kil ,ex-national champ, impaired to 10-12-2, 4 KOs.
Unranked Kenji Sakamoto (9-1-1, 5 KOs), 121.25, from Nagoya, surprisingly scored an upset unanimous decision (78-76, 79-76 and 77-76) over previously unbeaten ex-amateur prospect Yukio Sekiguchi, Japanese #7 feather, 122, over 8.
Japanese #4 light-fly Makoto Miyagi (12-2-1, 5 KOs), 107, displayed an impressive one-punch KO over Hiromasa Kato (6-5-2, no KO), 108, with a southpaw left at 2:24 of the 7th canto.
Promoter: 18 Koga Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi.
(2-1-03)