November 25, 2003
TOKYO, JAPAN-Japanese #7 ranked 154-pounder Yukiharu Shinyashiki (12-7, 8 KOs), 158.75, floored Thailander Kwankasem Sithsanta (6-4, 1 KO), 154.5, four times and finally sank him at 1:45 of the third round on Tuesday night in Tokyo, Japan. The southpaw from Okinawa will get a shot at the Japanese national belt against Toshihara Kaneyama in the Carnival of Champions since all higher ranked contenders are reluctant to challenge the aggressive champ.
Unbeaten prospect Ryu Miyagi (8-0-1, 7 KOs), 127.5, displayed his power-punching by dropping Shuto Mifune (8-2-2, 4 KOs), 128.5, with devastating shots in the second and twice more in the fourth en route to a fine stoppage at 2:25 of the fourth session in a scheduled eight. Miyagi stunned the crowd with his hard-punching ability.
Former national high school champ Gooh Onaga, 113.25, ran his unbeaten mark to 2-0, 2 KOs by flattening Thailander Chareonsak Sor Waraphin (3-3), 110.75, with his southpaw left at 1:50 of the opening session in a scheduled six.
This card was held in commemoration of the retirement of ex-WBA 140-pound champ Akinobu Hiranaka, who once dethroned Edwin Chapo Rosario via first round stoppage in Mexico City in 1992. His overall record was 20-2, 18 KOs. After he hang up his gloves, he opened his Hiranaka Boxing School Gym in his native Okinawa to become a promoter. It was his dream that he would celebrate his retirement in his own promotion.
Promoter: Akinobu Hiranakafs Mugen Promotions.
(11-25-03)