May 3, 2003
TOKYO, JAPAN-WBC #10 ranked 130-pounder Nobuhito Honmo, 129.25, kept his Japanese belt by posting a nearly shutout decision (99-94 twice and 99-93) over hard-hitting but slower Hidekazu Matsunobu, 130, over 10 rounds in Tokyo, Japan.
Honmo, making his second defense since acquiring the vacant belt by beating then world-rated Kinji Amano last August, kept peppering the challenger with fast but soft-punching combos all the way. Honmo, who needs to gain more power, bettered his mark 22-4-1, 5 KOs. The loser fell to 24-6-1, 17 KOs.
Ex-national 135-pound and 140-pound champ and currently top welter contender, Hiroyuki Maeda (26-7-2, 16 KOs), 147, scored a very easy KO of overmatched Nokwit Singmanasaak (reportedly 5-4-1, 2 KOs), 146.25, at 1:39 of the second. Takanori Kariya (15-2, 5 KOs), earned a majority duke over Yusuke Kobori (9-2, 5 KOs), 130, over 8. Japanese #10 bantam Kengo Wakao (8-0, 3 KOs), 118, demolished mediocre Thailander Prajit Jitja-Oar (reportedly 7-4, 3 KOs), 117, at 1:42 of the third. Japanese #10 ranked Kazuyoshi Kumano (8-1, 1 KO), 130, tasted his first setback by dropping a split verdict to more aggressive Daigo Kaneko (8-3-4, 4 KOs), 130, over 8.
Promoter: Kadoebi Jewel Promotions.
(5-3-03)
May 4, 2003
AKASHI, JAPAN-Japanese banger Akira Ebisuoka (25-8-2, 8 KOs), 126.75, bled too profusely from a gash on the forehead caused by an accidental butt, and technically drew with Filipino feather champ Jeffrey Onate (28-15-7, 15 KOs), 127, at 1:43 of the 4th session.
Japanese #7 140-pounder Kiyoshi Adachi (21-6-2, 14 KOs), 138.75, fought unranked Hideyuki Furuhashi (16-13-3, 9 KOs), 139.5, to a majority draw over 10. Unbeaten Japanese #10 ranked bright prospect Akinori Kanai, 126, ran his unblemished mark to 8-0, 8 KOs by diposing of Thailander Chondan Sor Romayanon (2-2, 1 KO), 125.75, at 1:57 of the second round.
Promoter: JM Kakogawa Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi (as for the Kanai-Chondan bout).
(5-4-03)