February 6, 2005
OSAKA, JAPAN-Comebacking prospect Nobuto Ikehara (21-1, 16 KOs), 122.5, kept throwing busy combinations and pounded out a unanimous decision (97-93 twice and 98-92) over Filipino 122-pound champ Alex Escaner (19-11-3, 8 KOs), 122.75, over ten rounds on Sunday in Osaka, Japan.
Ikehara, whose unexpected loss to Kyohei Tamakoshi by a majority decision in June 2003, had dropped him from the Japanese top rank, scored four wins straight since by dominating early and late rounds. Escaner, however, showed his hard-hitting ability in middle rounds and occasionally shook him up with solid left hooks. Itfs a hot affair praised by the audience.
Hard-punching Kazuaki Matsumoto (13-1-2, 12 KOs), 146.25, collected another KO victim by dispatching Thailander Atthapon Por Yosanan (3-2, 1 KO), 146.5, with a vicious right uppercut at 0:44 of the third round in a scheduled ten. Matsumoto, a lanky KO artist, was once ranked #10 by the OPBF, but dropped by any reason. He wishes to test his fists against name opponents.
Tatsuya Tsubouchi, 117.5, came off the canvas in the second and demolished Thailander Denpathapee Sithkun, 118, at 2:20 of the fifth in a scheduled eight. Kenji Yoshimura, 129.75, made short work of Thailandfs Kraitong Sithsaithong, 129.25, at 2:52 of the opening session in a scheduled eight.
Promoter: Osaka Teiken Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi.
(2-6-05)
February 7, 2005
TOKYO, JAPAN-Only once-beaten rugged southpaw swinger, Japanese #2 ranked 154-pounder Tatsuki Kawasaki (17-1, 13 KOs), 153.25, struggled to win a split verdict (96-95, 98-96 and 95-96) as he was in command in early rounds, but absorbed good inside shots of ex-national amateur champ Manabu Komatsu (only 3-6, no KO), 153.25, in late sessions on Monday in Tokyo, Japan. Kawasaki, big- tattooed on the back, was an aggressor all the way, but his combinations were averted by Komatsufs tight guard, so he had to continually aim at the breadbasket. The ex-amateur champ showed a good performance, but failed to show something more to win, as previously.
Seiichi Haraguchi (10-2, 4 KOs), 112, took a close but unanimous nod (78-77 twice and 78-75) over Kenji Yoshida (6-4, 4 KOs), 112, over eight. Stylish and speedy Tomohiko Saito (10-5, 7 KOs), 111.5, recently suffered some defeats but tonight regained his previous rhythm in disposing of Hiroshi Kuroiwa (10-4, 2 KOs), 112, by dropping him three times at 2:41 of the sixth round in a scheduled eight. Tatsuya Hashimoto (9-5-1, 1 KO), 125.5, eked out a majority decision (77-76 twice and 77-77) over Tomoyuki Kubota (8-6-1, 1 KO), 126, over eight.
Promoter: Soka Arisawa Promotions.
(2-7-05)