March 10, 2003
TOKYO, JAPAN-Unheralded Shuichi Kobayashi, 146.75, captured the Japanese national welter belt by winning an upset decision over WBA #15 ranked defending champ Teruo Nagase, 147, over 10 heats in Tokyo, Japan.
Scored: 97-95, 98-94 and 96-95, all for Kobayashi, 13-2, 6 KOs. Nagase, who had entered the WBA’s top 15 thanks to his victory over Hiroyuki Maeda last year, fell to 21-6-2, 12 KOs.
They mixed it up toe-to-toe in the first four rounds. Kobayashi connected well with right uppercuts to the onrushing champ in the 5th. Though Nagase won the 6th, Kobayashi swept the 7th through 9th sessions and withstood the champ’s last surge in the 10th.
Promoter: Yonekura Promotions.
(3-10-03)