December 16, 2003
TOKYO, JAPAN-Ex-OPBF champ Hiroyuki Yoshino (36-13-1, 26 KOs), 154, failed to show his trade-mark left hooks with which he had iced many victims only to lose an upset decision (99-94 twice and 98-95) to Japanese #5 super-welter Toshihiko Itagaki (13-8, 8 KOs), 153, over ten rounds on Tuesday night in Tokyo, Japan.
Yoshino, who once had an ambitious crack at the WBA 140-pound belt against Juan Martin Coggi despite his fifth round KO defeat in 1993, was obviously in the twilight of his career, as his previous speed, power and zip were sadly gone. He couldn’t cope with the younger opponent’s faster left-right combos, losing points in most rounds. It might be time for Yoshino to hang up gloves for good.
Asahi Takano (10-8-2, 6 KOs), 117.25, halted Mongoose Suzuki (7-11-1, 3 KOs), 117.5, due to the latter’s bad laceration at 1:51 of the third round in a scheduled eight.
Promoter: Noguchi Promotions.
(12-16-03)