September 24, 2003
OSAKA, JAPAN-Ex-WBC bantam champ Joichiro Tatsuyoshi (18-6-1, 13 KOs), a flamboyant superstar here in Japan, will engage in his second comeback go when he faces WBC #24 ranked Julio Cesar Avila (21-14-1, 9 KOs) in Osaka, Japan, on September 26. Avila arrived in Osaka last Tuesday, and started his final workout there. Originally scheduled to meet another Mexican Hugo Dianzo on July 6, Tatsuyoshi was forced to cancel it due to his left leg pain, which reportedly has no problem now. The currently WBC #9 ranked Tatsuyoshi, 33, is still gunning for a shot at the world throne to regain his belt, but he will have to pass this test following his last victory over ex-WBA fly champ Saen Sor Ploenchit via TKO route. Tatsuyoshi is still tremendously popular that great many aficionados will gather at the Central Gymnasium there. The undercards are as follows: WBC #5 ranked 154-pounder Okira Ohigashi will square off against ex-OPBF champ Nobuhiro Ishida over 10. Former OPBF welter champ Rev Santillan, a lefty Filipino hard-puncher, will meet upcoming local prospect Daigoro Yamamoto over 10. It is staged by Kiyoshi Yoshii's Osaka Teiken Promotions.
(9-24-03)