June 22, 2003
Nagoya, Japan-WBC #9 ranked hard-punching lefty Japanese Hideyasu Ishihara (13-2-1, 10 KOs), 115, kept his OPBF 115-pound belt as he came off the canvas and promptly dropped back Thai champ Phissesh Vor Suraphol (15-9, 2 KOs), 114.5, in the second, floored him twice more in the third and sixth to pound out a nearly shutout decision (120-108, 120-107 and 117-111) over 10 frames on Sunday in Nagoya, Japan.
Ishihara, a tall southpaw puncher, attempted to outbox the game Thailander, but was forced to mix it up in later rounds. Ishihara announced to renounce his regional belt to aim at an ambitious shot to the WBC throne.
WBC #22 ranked 122-pounder Masakane Sugawara (17-2-4, 9 KOs), 124, sank Thailander Kumarntong Por Pluemkamol (11-17, 2 KOs), 123, for the count with a vicious body shot at 1:17 of the 6th. Unbeaten WBC #18 115-pounder Shin Ogata (14-0-2, 6 KOs), 117, finally caught ex-OPBF champ Wisuth Chuwatana (45-12, 30 KOs), 117, and finished him with a solid right at 2:46 of the 8th session.
Promoter: Matsuda Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi.
(6-23-03)