September 5, 2003
NAGOYA, JAPAN-The press conference of the upcoming WBC 122-pound title bout took place at Chukyo TV today in Nagoya, Japan, where the defending champ Oscar Larios, Mexico, will put his belt on the line against Japanese hard-puncher Kozo Ishii this Sunday at the Rainbow Hall here.
Larios, a year his senior at 26, confidently said, “I am in perfect shape, so will show a good fight and bring back my belt to Mexico.” Ishii, 31-3, 21 KOs, counterpuched, saying, “I’d like to finish this fight early, if possible, to become the champ. I ’m eager to fight him very soon.”
The credentials of Larios became a controversy. The promoter, Takao Maruki of Tenyu Maruki Promotions, prepared a press kit that described the champ’s mark of 49-3-1, 34 KOs. His business manager Rafael Mendoza, however, strongly insisted that his ledger should be 53-3-1, 36 KOs. When and where did Larios fight four more bouts, scoring 4-0, 2 KOs ? Anyway, that is just a matter of figures. Larios and Ishii will actually square off at 4:05 pm on Sunday, and that will be a matter of real power.
(9-5-03)