February 14, 2005
TOKYO, JAPAN-WBC#7/WBA#6 ranked Shingo Yamaguchi (17-3-2, 7 KOs), 108, kept his OPBF 108-pound belt as he proved too ringwise and energetic for previously unbeaten southpaw Munetsugu Kayo (11-1, 6 KOs), 107.75, and scored a split but well-received decision over twelve heats on Monday night in Tokyo, Japan. The official scores were: judges Yamada and Uchida 117-112 and 116-114 respectively for slick-punching champ, and scoring referee Sarasas 114-115 for Kayo. The hard-hitting Kayo made a good start and almost stunned the champ with a vicious countering left in the third, when the audience thought itfs a night for the 22-year-old pupil of ex-WBA champ Yoko Gushiken. But the tide dramatically turned from the fifth round onward, as the tricky champ began to frustrate the challenger with roundhouse rights, triple left hooks and jolting uppercuts to the midsection with precision. Yamaguchi had him at bay in the sixth, and was in command mostly in the second half. The champ, piloted by another ex-world champ Katsuo Tokashiki, showed his superior ringcraft in coping with the talented but less experienced lefty.
WBC #12 ranked ex-WBC fly champ Malcolm Tunacao (17-1-2, 12 KOs), 116.75, halted unranked Japanese Takafumi Himeno (11-3-2, 3 KOs), 116.5, because of the latterfs closed left optic at 2:43 of the ninth round.
Promoter: Tokashiki Promotions.
(2-14-05)