May 9, 2004
AMAGASAKI, JAPAN-WBC #11 ranked featherweight Hector Velazquez (37-10-2-1NC, 27 KOs), 126, Mexico, was held to a majority draw (95-95 twice and 97-93 for him) by #29 Japanfs Eiichi Sugama (26-3-1, 19 KOs), 125.75, on Sunday evening in Amagasaki, Japan.
It was a total war with each slugging out all the way. Velazquez, who had upset ex-WBC champ Guty Espadas Jr., had the upper hand in earlier rounds except in the second when Sugama, ex-national ruler, landed solid right crosses to the face. The Japanese turned loose with a flurry of punches, pinning him to the ropes to have him at bay in rounds 6 and 7. They swapped all they had toe-to-toe in the last three sessions. Kusung Lee, the Korean promoter of the newly crowned WBC 126-pound kingpin Injin Chi, was in attendance to witness this affair, and Sugama may be a possible challenger in Chifs first defense in Korea in July.
Promoter: Amagasaki Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi.
(5-9-04)