September 23, 2003
TAKASAGO, JAPAN-Japanese top bantam contender Ryuichi Minoriyama (14-4-3, 6 KOs), 119.25, utilized his footwork and stinging lefts to earn a close but unanimous decision (96-95 twice and 96-94) over Filipino Michael Domingo (19-9-2, 9 KOs), 120, over ten heats on Tuesday night at Takasago, Japan. Ryuichi, the son of the promoter Shinnosuke Minoriyama, was ahead on points, but had a tough time coping with the game Filipinofs retaliation in later rounds.
Filipino Pedro Marco (10-6-3, 4 KOs), 123.75, was awarded a technical decision over Japanese banger Akira Ebisuoka (25-9-2, 8 KOs), 126, due to the local favoritefs bad gash at 2:33 of the fifth session. Hideyuki Furuhashi (17-13-3, 11 KOs), 135.5, chalked up a TKO win over Philippine #2 light Bert Navares (50-11-1, 20 KOs), 135.25, as the Filipino retired on the stool after the sixth round. Upcoming Japanese #5 minimum Junichi Ebisuoka (10-5-2, 3 KOs), 107.25, decked his tune-up go prior to a rematch with ex-OPBF 108-pound champ Tatsuo Hayashida by demolishing Filipino Roy Balatarria (8-8-3, 3 KOs), 108, with a wicked body shot at 1:48 of the third canto. Ebisuoka lost a highly controversial decision to Hayashida in his last bout in Tokyo, and they will meet again this December.
Promoter: JM Kakogawa Promotions.
(9-23-03)