May 14, 2003
TOKYO, JAPAN-Filipino welter champ Dondon Sultan (8-2, 2 KOs), 154, surprisingly decked an upset unanimous decision (98-95, 98-96 and 97-95) over ex-OPBF welter ruler Hiroyuki Yoshino (36-12-1, 26 KOs), 154, Japan, over 10 rounds on Wednesday in Tokyo, Japan.
Yoshino, who failed to win the WBA super-light belt via 5th round KO by Juan Martin Coggi in 1993, displayed his trade-mark left hook to be in command in the first 4 rounds. But he abruptly ran out of gas in the 5th and repeatedly absorbed Sultanfs countering rights to forfeit his early lead on points. The 35-year-old Yoshino, now a 154-pounder who had kept his welter belt 14 times, still aims to win his third national belt by capturing the 160-pound title, but he has apparently lost his previous zip and power in latest fights.
Stylish jabber Masataka Murata (11-2, 5 KOs), 125.5, halted hard-hitting Yuji Onozaki (8-2-1, 6 KOs), 126, at 1:48 of the 6th session.
Promoter: Noguchi Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi.
(5-14-03)