September 7, 2003
September 7, 2003
NAGOYA, JAPAN-Hard-punching Mexican Oscar Larios (50-3-1, 35 KOs)(right photo), 121.75, kept his WBC superbantam belt as he exploded devastating overhand rights, dropped Japanese challenger Kozo Ishii (31-4, 21 KOs), 122, in the first and second rounds and halted the groggy opponent at 2:02 of the second session on Sunday afternoon in Nagoya, Japan.
It disappointedly resulted in a much shorter affair than expected. In the opening canto, Ishii landed a solid right to the champfs cheek. But Larios kept jabbing and moving to look for openings. The champ caught the still nervous challenger with vicious overhand rights followed by solid left hooks. Down he went. Ishii barely beat the count to resume fighting to be saved by the bell. Larios, in round two, became so pugnacious that he swarmed over Ishii with strong overhand rights, flooring him again. Ishii regained his foot, but the champ furiously followed it up to prompt the referee Richie Daviesfs intervention.
Official tallies after the first round were as follows: Chuck Hassett (US), Julie Lederman (US) and Franz Marti (Thailand) all 10-8 in favor of the champ.
Promoter: Tenyu Maruki Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi
(9-7-03)