WBC #16 KAWABATA KEEPS JAPANESE 115-LB BELT

February 8, 2004

TAKASAGO, JAPAN-Japanese 115-pound champ Masaki Kawabata (22-5-2, 12 KOs), 115, kept his national title by winning a majority but popular decision (97-93, 97-95 and 96-96) over Prosper Kohei Matsuura (22-5, 10 KOs), 114.75, over ten on Sunday night in Takasago, Japan. In a grudge fight Kawabata, a shorter infighter, kept boring in to avert the ex-champ’s hit-and-run strategy.

Undercard:

Unbeaten Japanese #5 feather Akinori Kanai (12-0, 12 KOs), 128, demolished Thailander Saengsi Por Chaiyawatana (17-8, 8 KOs), 127, at 2:37 of the third round in a scheduled ten. Also unbeaten Masayuki Mitani (9-0, 4 KOs), 118, blasted out Thailander Chongkon Voh Suraphol, 117.25, at 2:09 of the opening canto in another ten.

Promoter: Himeji Kinoshita Promotions.

(2-8-04)

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