July 9, 2003
TOKYO, JAPAN-Unbeaten WBA #11 ranked welter Farhad Bakirov, 147, Uzbekistani campaigning in Japan, utilized his southpaw stance so effectively that he took a lopsided decision over Philippine #2 contender Cesar Yarete (5-4-1, 2 KOs), 147.5, over 8 rounds on Wednesday night in Tokyo, Japan.
Bakirov, now 5-0, 3 KOs, had an excellent amateur mark and proved his superiority in outpunching the hard-punching Filipino by the scores of 80-74 twice and 79-74. Yarte had dropped WBC #6 ranked Akira Ohigashi twice in the opening session to his credit despite finally losing by a 4th round stoppage in Osaka last April, but Bakirov was too elusive and crafty for him to land his Sunday punch.
In the main event, ex-OPBF 154-pound champ and currently Japanese top contender Nobuhiro Ishida (9-4-1, 4 KOs), 153.75, displayed his gain of power in dropping game and durable Toshihiko Itagaki (13-7, 8 KOs), 154.75, with a countering right in the third en route to a unanimous decision over 8. The 6-foot Ishida, who had been fighting from the flyweight division to the 154-pound class as an amateur, is slated to meet Akira Ohigashi beneath ex-WBC bantam champ Joichiro Tatsuyoshi’s second comeback bout in Osaka on September 26.
Promoter: Yokohama Hikari Promotions.
(7-9-03)