January 22, 2004
TOKYO, JAPAN-Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) celebrated the annual ceremony to render awards to our outstanding boxers on Thursday at the Tokyo Dome Hotel in Tokyo. WBC 115-pound champ Masamori Tokuyama, who registered nine defenses, was named Boxer of the Year for three consecutive years. WBA interim bantam champ Hideki Todaka, who acquired the belt by beating Leo Gamez in a grueling battle, was given the Technique award. OPBF super-light champ Masakazu Satake, WBC #7 ranked southpaw, received the Valuable Victory award as well as the Knockout award thanks to his spectacular stoppage of previously unbeaten Venezuelan champ Richard Reyna. The Fighting Sprit award went to hard-punching Shigeru Nakazato, who showed a desperate battle with Oscar Larios for the WBC 122-pound belt though losing on points. The Rookie citations were rendered to up-and-coming OPBF bantam ruler Hozumi Hasegawa, WBC #4 ranked contender. The Fight of the Year award was given to the said Larios vs. Nakazato title bout as well as to its promoter Akihiko Honda of Teiken Promotions. Special awards were presented to ex-WBA 105-pound champ Keitaro Hoshino and ex-Japanese lightweight kingpin Rick Roberts Yoshimura, who had scored 22 defenses to his credit. The Special Contribution award was rendered to the late first world champion produced in Japan, Yoshio Shirai. The award-winners were greatly congratulated by many boxing people and journalists.
(1-22-04)