June 5, 2004
TOKYO, JAPAN-WBC #15 ranked flyweight Trash Nakanuma (24-5, 11 KOs), 113.75, dropped Filipino fly champ Edgar Rodrigo (10-5-4, 5 KOs), 113.25, four times en route to a fine stoppage at 2:06 of the eighth round on Saturday night in Tokyo, Japan. Nakanuma, who had failed to win the WBC throne via close but unanimous nod in a grueling bout this January, proved too pugnacious and powerful for Rodrigo, a game southpaw, sending him to the canvas each twice in the seventh and eighth. Rodrigo, who had shown a gallant performance against Noriyuki Komatsu in a bid for the OPBF belt despite a defeat last February, fought very well, exchanging solid shots toe-to-toe in early rounds.
Ex-Japanese 115-pound champ Prosper Matsuura (23-5, 11 KOs), 115, scored an easy KO win over Thai #6 ranked Pongsak Pongchareon (5-6, 1 KO), 113.5, decking him three times at 1:57 of the third round. Osamu Nakane (10-2, 6 KOs), 129, pounded out a shutout decision (80-72, 80-73 and 80-84) over Thailander Chondan Sor Romayanon (2-5, 1 KO), 130, over eight.
Promoter: Kokusai Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi (as for the Nakanuma vs. Rodrigo main event and the Nakane vs. Chondan bout).
(6-5-04)