July 11, 2003
OSAKA, JAPAN-Japanese top middle contender Toshiaki Inazawa (9-1-1, 5 KOs), 159, cautiously exchanged counterpunches with Philippine 154-pound champ Ernie Alesna (reportedly 30-11-3, 20 KOs), 157.5, until he finally sank the Filipino with a body shot at 1:51 of the 8th session on Friday night in Osaka, Japan.
Inazawa, formerly a baseball player, had a tough fight with the more experienced opponent, but his left hook to the belly ended the affair with the referee counting him out as Alesna regained his feet but failed to raise his guard. Inazawa is expected to have a shot at the national 160-pound throne against the newly crowned Yoshihiro Araki, also of Osaka, who lately dethroned WBA #10 ranked Satoru Suzuki in Tokyo on July 5.
Masakazu Suzuki, 126.25, was awarded a TKO win over Makoto Meji, 125.25, at 2:37 of the 5th as the latter was called unfit to go on because of his bad gash caused by legal blows .
Promoter: Harada Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi. (7-11-03)