November 24, 2004
YOKOHAMA, JAPAN-WBC #13 ranked lefty Seiji Tanaka (16-6-3, 4 KOs), 114.75, captured the Japanese 115-pound belt as he was awarded a hairline but unanimous verdict (97-95 twice and 97-96) over WBA #5 ranked defending champ Masayuki Arinaga (17-4-1, 8 KOs), 114.5, over ten lousy rounds on Saturday in Yokohama, Japan. It’s an encounter of southpaws, but they seldom caught each other with accurate punches. Arinaga, handled by ex-WBA & WBC 105-pound champ Hideyuki Ohashi, had wrested the national belt by eking out a close decision over then world-rated Masaki Kawabata here last June, but couldn’t display his superior power punching to the soft-punching but busy challenger. Tanaka threw light and inaccurate combos to the champ, fortunately being awarded more points by the judges.
Once-beaten Yoshimasa Mochizuki (9-1-2, 3 KOs), 125.25, after his return from training in Mexico for a year, came off the deck in the first round, and roughly went forward with wild shots to draw with Shusaku Tokigai (7-6-2, 1 KO), 125.25, over eight.
Promoter: Ohashi Promotions.
(11-27-04)
November 28, 2004
KOBE, JAPAN-WBA #15 ranked feather Zaiki Takemoto (16-4-1, 11 KOs), 128, floored Thailaner Samutnoi Sithnaruepol (2-4, 1 KO), 127, once in the first and twice more in the next, scoring a fine KO win at 1:10 of the second session in a scheduled tenbon Sunday in Kobe, Japan. Takemoto had entered the WBA’s top ten thanks to his upset victory over then rated Saohin Sirithai Condo last April. The hard-punching local prospect is slated to have a shot in April at the winner of national champ Hiroyuki Enoki and Akinori Kanai on January 8.
Promoter: Senrima Kobe Promotions.
(11-28-04)
November 28, 2004
OKINAWA, JAPAN-Up-and-coming hard-punching feather Ryu Miyagi (11-0-2, 9 Kos), 128.5, showed his power in demolishing ex-Thai champ Saengsi Poh Chaiwatthana, 128.5, at 1:16 of the second round in a scheduled ten on Sunday in Honbucho, Okinwa. The terrible ex-Thai champ often fought here, suffering nine KO wins in as many bouts in Japan to his discredit.
Promoter: Okinawa World Ring Promotions.
(11-28-04)