August 3, 2003
August 3, 2003
FUKUOKA, JAPAN-WBC #3 ranked OPBF featherweight champ Takashi Koshimoto (33-1-2, 15 KOs) (right photo), 125.75, impressively kept his regional belt as he displayed a fine one-punch KO over Thai champ Saengsi Poh Chaiyawathana (17-6, 8 KOs), 125.75, at 0:40 into the third round on Sunday afternoon in Munakata, Japan. The 5’9 tall southpaw Koshimoto’s countering left was a haymaker, which dropped his opponent for the full count. Koshimoto is gunning for a shot at the winner of the WBC interim feather elimination bout between #1 Injin Chi and #2 Michael Brodie.
Unbeaten Japanese national feather champ Dainoshin Kuma (24-0, 11 KOs), 125.75, a stablemate of Koshimoto, kept his title by a unanimous verdict (99-91, 100-90 and 99-92) over Naoto Fujiwara (14-3, 7 KOs), 125.5, over 10.
Promoter: Fukuma Sports Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi (as for the Koshimoto vs. Saengsi title bout).
(8-3-03)
August 2, 2003
TOKYO, JAPAN-Elongated ex-Japanese 140-pound champ Tadashi Yuba (21-2-2, 14 KOs), 141.75, made a fine comeback as he finally caught a durable Filipino Rex Marzan (13-13-1, 6 KOs), 141, with a beautiful southpaw left and sank him for the count at 1:17 of the seventh round on Saturday night in Tokyo, Japan. Though leading on points, Yuba, who once announced his retirement after forfeiting his national belt to Motoki Sasaki via upset stoppage last February, looked too cautious and reluctant to finish his foe to bring home the bacon early. The 6’1 southpaw eventually exploded his vaunted left to deck his comeback go.
Japanese #6 bantam Jun Toriumi (19-3-1, 6 KOs), 119.75, pounded out a hard-fought unanimous nod over Naoto Nakazato (11-6-1, 2 KOs), 119.75, over 10. Toriumi had his game opponent on the deck with a short left, which carried him to a well-received victory. Shintaro Yazawa (17-3, 11 KOs), 126, unanimously decisioned Hitoshi Ohnishi (10-6, 9 KOs), 126, over 10.
Promoter: Teiken Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi (as for the Yuba vs. Marzan main event).
(8-2-03)