December 14, 2004
TOKYO, JAPAN-Unbeaten WBA #5 ranked welterweight, Japan-based Uzbekistani Farkhad Masa Bakirov (9-0-1, 6 KOs), 147, was held to a highly controversial split draw by also unbeaten Hiroshi Yamaguchi (11-0-1, 7 KOs), 146.25, over ten hot rounds on Tuesday night in Tokyo, Japan.
The scores were: 96-95 for Yamaguchi, 98-96 for Bakirov, and 96-96. Yamaguchi often caught the slower southpaw with solid rights and seemed to take the initiative all the way. He had the fading Bakirov staggering to the ropes with well-timed rights in the seventh and ninth. Though the Uzbekistani showed his last surge in the final session, Yamaguchi looked to have gained enough points to score an upset victory. Bakirov's world rating might have prejudiced the judges in his favor, though he wasnft what he used to be tonight. The audience greatly castigated the verdict. Yamaguchi, a good prospect, deserves a rematch.
Promoter: Yonekura Promotions.
(12-14-04)