June 7, 2003
TOKYO, JAPAN-Unheralded underdog Yoshikane Nakajima (13-5-4, 2 KOs), 122, surprisingly captured the Japanese national 122-pound belt as he whipped WBC #9 ranked defending champ Junichi Watanabe (28-4, 19 KOs), 122, with soft-punching but fast combinations and made him a bloody mess to score an upset unanimous decision (96-94, 97-95 and 97-94) over 10 gory rounds in Tokyo, Japan.
Watanabe, making his 7th defense, allowed his opponent to make a good start, but turned loose with his stronger southpaw lefts to dominate the third through fifth rounds. Nakajima, his sparring partner, became so aggressive that he swept four rounds from the 6th to pile up a decisive lead on points.
Unbeaten WBC #3 ranked Eagle Akakura (previously fighting under the nom-de-guerre Eagle Okuda), 105, ran his mark to 6-0, 3 KOs by pounding out a shutout nod (80-74 twice and 80-73) over durable Filipino Elmer Gejon (8-5, 4 KOs), 105, over 8. Eagle, an import from Thailand, had entered the top ten by defeating then highly ranked Noel Tunacao, and keeps winning to his credit.
Ex-amateur prospect Akio Mikami (9-1-1, 5 KOs), 131, halted tough and rough Yoshinori Harashina (8-4-1, 3 KOs), 131, with a barrage of punches at 2:31 of the 7th round.
Promoter: Teiken Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi (as for the Eagle-Gejon bout)
(6-7-03)