April 4, 2004
MUNAKATA, JAPAN-Unbeaten Japanese feather champ Dainoshin Kuma (26-0, 11 KOs), 125.75, again barely kept his national belt as he eked out a majority decision (97-95, 97-93 and 95-96) over Motokazu Abe (11-2-2, 9 KOs), 125.75, over ten closest rounds on Sunday in Munakata, Japan.
Their first encounter in favor of Kuma last December produced a great controversy, which caused a lifetime suspension of one of the judges and the Japanese commission’s strong recommendation of their rematch. It, however, followed a similar pattern of their previous bout as Abe kept attempting to come close to the champ with persistent body punches, while Kuma, a taller southpaw, kept moving side-to-side and throwing combinations to avert mixing it up. Kuma, whose condition looked better than previously, threw more blows than Abe, who exclusively aimed at the breadbasket and scored with solid shots.
OPBF feather champ Takashi Koshimoto (35-1-2, 16 KOs), 127, earned a unanimous nod over Thai #5 contender Thongcharoen Mahasapcondo(9-12, 1 KO), 126.75, over ten. Chikara Hashimoto (12-1, 4 KOs), 118, unanimously outscored Thailander Smingnum Voh Wiwatthananonth(9-2, 3 KOs), 117.75, over ten.
Promoter: Fukuma Sports Promotions.
(4-4-04)