May 18, 2003
KOBE, JAPAN-Upcoming southpaw Hozumi Hasegawa (12-2, 4 KOs), 118, impressively captured the 118-pound belt of the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) as he outspeeded WBC #5 ranked defending champ Jess Maca (42-18-5, 17 KOs), 118, all the way and dropped him with a double left in the third to win a split but well-received decision over 12 fast heats on Sunday in Kobe, Japan.
Hasegawa, like Pernell Whitaker, displayed excellent reflexes in averting the champ’s solid blows and beautifully and effectively countered with fast lefts. The Japanese landed a vicious left to have Maca on the deck with the bell coming to his rescue in the third. The 22-year-old Japanese took four points in the first 4 rounds, but Maca, 31, fought back to win middle rounds by a slight margin. Hasegawa was in command in the last three sessions to confirm his victory. The ex-champ Maca admitted, “Hasegawa was a very sharp and hard-hitting boy. I have no complaint on the verdict.”
Scored: referee Ukrid Sarasas (Thailand) 116-114 and Hisatoshi Miyazaki (Japan) 116-111, both for Hasegawa, and Nick Giongco (Philippines) 117-113 for Maca. This reporter saw it 115-112 for Hasegawa. Unlike other aggressive but less skillful Japanese boys, Hasegawa, handled by Keitoku Senrima (ex-national middle champ once cultivated by Kronk’s Emanuel Steward in Detroit), showed his remarkable defensive skills to impress the crowd.
Japanese #7 feather Zaiki Takemoto (11-4-1, 8 KOs), 125.75, scored a clearcut KO win by flattening Hiroki Sakamoto (7-3-1, 3 KOs), 124.25, with a left-right combo at 1:04 of the 8th round.
Promoter: Senrima Kobe Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi.
(5-18-03)