October 23, 2003
TOKYO, JAPAN-Nobuaki Uratani is one of the best referee and judge in Japan as he was recently appointed a judge in the WBC featherweight elimination bout between Injin Chi and Michael Brodie in Manchester, UK last Saturday. Uratani was such a fantastic referee with remarkable reflexes as he often caught the back head of a falling boxer who was about to bounce the head off the canvas, breathlessly, with his hand like a major league outfielder. Uratani, after his return from UK, served as the third man in a six rounder between Hirokazu Yamato and Taro Fukaya on Thursday night in Tokyo, Japan. The young and handsome ref quickly stepped in to separate the boxers at the bell to end the first round, just when Fukaya unintentionally threw a vicious body shot. It beautifully caught the ref, not his opponent Yamato, having Uratani kneel down with pain in agony. He barely pulled himself up, but was apparently unable to go on to be eventually replaced by Ukrid Sarasas, a Japan-based Thai referee, from the second round on. Otani (5-1-2, 4 KOs), 122, won a unanimous nod over Fukaya (4-1-1, 3 KOs), 122, over 6.
WBA #9 ranked welter Farhad Masa Bakirov (17-0-1, 11 KOs), 147, a Japan-based Uzbekistani, landed a vicious southpaw left to Thai Paolo Sishsobha (5-4), 146, to score a clearcut one-punch KO at 1:10 of the second session. Bakirov, 31, kept beating mediocre Thai or Filipino opponents here since our Japanese 147-pounders are reluctant to face this formidable ex-amateur star.
Japanese #7 superbantam Toshimitsu Sakai (13-3-1, 6 KOs), 123.5, was awarded a technical decision over Ryuji Kajiwara (13-5-3, 5 KOs), 123, because of the winnerfs nasty cut at 1:11 of the eighth and final round.
Co-promoters: Shirai Gushiken Promotions and Watanabe Promotions.
(10-23-03)
October 23, 2003
TOKYO, JAPAN-Unbeaten Japanese #10 ranked welter prospect Hiroshi Yamaguchi (8-0, 6 KOs), 147, dug a double left hook to the breadbasket and sank Thailander Muangchai Magyenyoko (3-3, 1 KO), 147, for the count at 2:40 of the second round on Wednesday night in Tokyo, Japan.
Upcoming feather Yuji Onozaki (9-2-1, 6 KOs), 125.5, dropped Shusaku Torikai (6-5-1, 1 KO), 126, with a well-timed short right in the opening round and earned a split decision (79-76, 77-76 and 76-77) due to the loserfs furious retaliation over eight.
Promoter: Noguchi Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi (as for the Yamaguchi vs. Muangchai bout).
(10-22-03)