September 8, 2003
TOKYO, JAPAN-OPBF #2 ranked Japanese lightweight champ Takehiro Shimada (13-3-1, 8 KOs), 134.25, kept his belt as he utilized stinging lefts to 5’11 jabber Tatsuhisa Kawashima (19-9-3, 7 KOs), 134.5, and had him at bay in the fourth session en route to a unanimous decision (98-93 twice and 99-93) over ten heats on Monday night in Tokyo, Japan.
Shimada, making his third defense since dethroning lefty Norio Kimura last year, maintained his aggressiveness by making good use of his left hand to nullify Kawashima’s vaunted jabs.
Ex-OPBF middleweight champ Naotaka Hozumi (22-3-1, 19 KOs), 163.25, too easily sunk Korean #7 welter Kyonghoon Lee (4-5, 2 KOs), 162.5, with a left shot to the midsection at 1:42 into the opening canto.
Unbeaten feather Motokazu Abe (11-0-2, 8 KOs), 125.5, was held to a technical draw by ex-Thai 122-pound champ Wichit Chuwatana (29-14-1, 9 KOs), 126, because of the latter’s bad gash on the forehead at 0:54 of the fourth round. In Japan, when a bout should be stopped due to a cut caused by an accidental headbutt, a drawn verdict shall be rendered in case of a stoppage if in the first half, and a decision shall be taken if in the second half.
Promoter: Yonekura Promotions.
(9-8-03)