January 16, 2005
MIYAKONOJO, JAPAN-Formerly two-time Japanese champ Tadashi Yuba (26-2-2, 18 KOs), 146, impressively acquired his third belt as he seized the vacant national welter belt by dropping Yoshinori Takenaka (21-5-1, 19 KOs), 146.5, twice before the referee’s intervention at 1:07 of the second round on Sunday afternoon in Miyakonojo, Japan.
The southpaw six-footer connected with a solid left and decked Takenaka in the opening canto. Yuba, sharp and smooth, had him down again with another southpaw left, and furiously followed it up before the ref Kuwata didn’t bother to halt the proceedings. Takenaka’s cornermen, however, hotly protested against the stoppage, allegedly insisting that the loser could still go on. Yuba had previously held the Japanese 135-pound and 140-pound thrones before moving up to the 147-pound category.
Promoter: Miyakonojo Leo Promotions.
(1-16-05)
January 16, 2005
SIMADA, JAPAN-WBC #12 ranked Japanese 108-pound champ Nobuaki Masuda (20-3, 3 KOs), making his first defense, kept his national title as he eked out a close but unanimous verdict (96-95 , 97-96 and 97-95) over WBA #12 ranked Takahisa Masuda (15-6-3, 2 KOs) over ten heats on Sunday afternoon in Shimada, Japan. It is rare that the contestants with the same family name fight for the national throne. The champ Masuda, who dethroned world-rated Masato Hatakeyama last year, remained more aggressive than the challenger Masuda who looked more accurate in swapping punches. It was such a close affair as to be called a drawn game. The loser Masuda had entered the world ratings thanks to his recent upset decision over ex-OPBF 105-pound ruler Tatsuo Hayashida in Tokyo.
Promoter: Suruga Promotions.
(1-16-05)