January 29, 2005
OSAKA, JAPAN-Hard-hitting and slick-punching Thailander Pongsaklek Kratindaeng-gym Wongjongkam (55-2, 30 KOs), 112, impressively kept his WBC flyweight title as he battered game and gutsy ex-OPBF champ Noriyuki Komatsu (19-2-5, 8 KOs), 112, from all angles, opened a nasty cut on the left eyebrow in the second, dropped him in the second and twice more in the fifth en route to a well-received stoppage at 1:42 of the fifth round on Saturday night in Osaka, Japan.
The 27-year-old Pongsaklek, making his eleventh defense, showed his best in displaying his superb attack and tight defense against the Japanese willing mixer. Komatsu, 25, began fireworks toe-to-toe with the shorter champ, who responded with more accurate and more effective shots in the first round. The second saw the Thailander open a laceration over the left eyebrow of the aggressive challenger and floored him with a beautiful southpaw left. Pongsaklek, unbeaten since his last defeat in 1996, landed strong combinations to the challenger’s bloodied face with amazing precision in the third and fourth, though Komatsu gallantly fought back hard despite his absorption of much punishment. The southpaw champ, in the fatal fifth, floored the Japanese with a well-timed right hook and again with merciless combos. Malcolm Bulner, the Australian referee, wisely took the loser to have his worsened gash examined by the ringside physician, who finally advised the third man to terminate the lopsided affair. All the scorecards of the judges were identical, 40-35 in favor of the champ, by Oren Shellenberger (US), Alejandro Rochin (Mexico) and Jaebong Kim (Korea).
The WBC had already ordered the winner of this title bout to meet the official challenger, former WBC 108-pound champ Jorge Arce of Mexico, in his next defense. Ponsaklek might be a second Manny Pacquiao that will stun the US or Mexican aficionados. Ponsaklek is a flawless boxer with an iron chin, good defense and effective attack based on the ring science. We, in Asia, look forward to seeing the realization of Pongsaklek against Arce with the prestigious WBC title at stake. All the spectators simply admitted the strength of the formidable champion tonight. Probably no Japanese challengers will attempt to cope with this Thailander in a bid for the WBC fly belt in the future, watching his impressive performance of this night.
Formerly two-time OPBF superfly champ Eiji Kojima (12-3, 3 KOs), a hard-hitter than his credentials indicated, 120, showed his razor-like southpaw left hand, dropped WBA #8 ranked bantam Nobuaki Naka (18-2-2, 12 KOs), 119.5, three times in the second, third and fifth sessions, and withstood Naka’s desperate retaliations and survived a knockdown in the ninth en route to a fine victory (95-91 twice and 96-90) over ten. It was really a Fight of the Month, as both hit the deck and displayed a see-saw extravaganza. Ex-world challenger Kojima, demolished twice by Venezuelan Alexander Munoz in a quest for the WBA 115-pound throne, showed his improved style and impressed the crowd with his well-timed counterpunches.
Previously unbeaten WBA #9 ranked Daudy Bahari (25-0-1, 11 KOs), 140.25, was held to a split draw by local prospect Daigoro Yamamoto (9-2-2, 7 KOs), 140.5, over hard-fought ten. The scores were as follows: 96-94 for Yamamoto, 96-94 for Bahari and 95-95. Bahari, a stylish jabber, kept throwing stinging lefts, while Yamamoto occasionally landed solid shots to the previously unbeaten PABA champ. Bahari’s regional title wasn’t at stake.
Promoter: Kanazawa Promotions and Eddie Townsend Promotions in association with Teiken Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi.
WBC supervisor: Frank Quill, OPBF president from Australia.
(1-29-05)