March 8, 2003
TOKYO, JAPAN-Akihiko Honda of Teiken Promotions, Inc. announced a tripleheader at Ryogoku Sumo Arena, Tokyo, on April 26.
WBC 122-pound champ Oscar Larios, Mexico, will put his belt on the line against an ambitious Japanese Shigeru Nakazato, 23-5, 18 KOs, in an encounter of hard-punchers. Larios, 47-3-1, 33 KOs, was once the WBC interim champ, but became the legitimate leader by blasting out Willie Jorrin in the opening session last November. The pugnacious Mexican displayed his awesome power-punching in stopping Manabu Fukushima in 8 lopsided rounds at the same venue in Tokyo in August of the previous year. Nakazato, former OPBF champ who lately renounced his belt, has scored six consecutive KO wins to show his rapid progress, and he may have a puncher’s chance.
WBC #10 ranked OPBF 140-pound champ Masakazu Satake, 17-2-4, 10 KOs, will risk his regional belt against top contender and Filipino champ Dindo Castanares, 12-0-1, 9 KOs, in a highly competitive bout. Satake, making his 9th defense, recently defeated such formidable opponents as Rick Yoshimura (W12) and Hiroyuki Sakamoto (TKO12) to his credit. Castanares, ex-Philippine national amateur champ, remains unbeaten since entering the paid ranks to display his steady progress. This is a long-anticipated mandatory fight, which must entertain the crowd.
Another OPBF title bout will be fought by ex-world challenger, WBC #17 ranked Manabu Fukushima, 23-5-1, 17 KOs, and OPBF top contender and Korean champ Jaekwang Chung, 9-0-2, 4 KOs. Though annihilated by Oscar Larios last year, Fukushima disposed of Filipino Roberto Oyan in 6 rounds in a fine comeback bout. The unbeaten Korean also showed his strength in keeping his national belt on four occasions. It will be an also competitive regional title bout.
March 7, 2003
TOKYO, JAPAN-Upcoming but unranked Shunsuke Ito (13-1-1, 9 KOs), 139.25, struggled to earn a split but important decision over the Japanese #2 ranked lightweight Kenichi Hashiura (17-5-1, 3 KOs), 138.5, over 10.
Scored: 97-96 and 96-95 for Ito, and 97-95 for Hashiura. Ito made a good start, winning three points in the first four sessions. But Hashiura’s body shots almost turned the tide in the 5th and 6th. But Hashiura, who had registered 7 KO wins straight, displayed his determination to take the last three to carry him to a close but well-received triumph.
Up-and-coming Japanese heavy prospect Ryosuke Takahashi (11-3, 6 KOs), 107.75, downed a game Australian jabber Shane Norford (5-13, no KO), 209, to the ropes and stopped him at 2:19 of the 5th round in a scheduled 8.
Promoter: Kaneko Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi (as for the Takahashi vs. Norford heavyweight bout).
(3-7-03)