November 8, 2003
OSAKA, JAPAN-Unbeaten ex-Japanese bantam champ Nobuaki Naka (17-0-2, 11 KOs), 121.75, returned to action after a one-year layoff, and pounded out a unanimous decision (99-90, 98-91 and 99-92) over Hirokazu Uesugi (8-3-2, 5 KOs), 121.75, over ten heats on Saturday night in Osaka, Japan.
Naka had renounced the national title to prepare for his crack at the OPBF belt against the then champ Jess Maca to be scheduled last March, but suffered a fractured collarbone to cancel it and concentrate on a recovery. He had the switch-hitting opponent at bay with a flurry of punches in the fifth and sixth. The WBA still ranks Naka #10 in the 118-pound division, but the Japanese prospect announced to move up to the 122-pound class from this fight on.
Koji Narita (9-5-4, 3 KOs), 129.75, earned a split decision (96-94, 98-94, 95-97) over Kiyomasa Ozeki (8-10-2, 2 KOs), 129.5, over ten.
Promoter: Osaka Teiken Promotions.
(11-8-03)