March 6, 2005
OSAKA, JAPAN-WBC #10 ranked 108-pounder Francisco Rosas (15-4, 10 KOs), 109, from Mexico, edged out taller footworker Junichi Ebisuoka (11-8-2, 4 KOs), 109, by a split decision (96-94, 98-91 and 93-96) over ten, as the Mexican kept stalking the fleet-footed Japanese with wild but energetic left hooks all night on Sunday night in Osaka, Japan. Rosas, a short and stocky swinger, threw roundhouse left hooks to the face and the belly, though he kept missing the elusive target all the way. Ebisuoka, a local prospect, dropped Rosas on the knee with a countering right midway in the fourth, but the ref ignored it, calling it a slip. Rosas was penalized a point because of hitting low in the fifth, but was so persistent that he kept throwing looping left hooks, regardless of catching him or hitting the air. Ebisuoka occasionally scored a few effective countering rights, but the Mexican dominated the last three sessions to confirm his triumph.
Unranked workman stylist Noboru Fukuyama (16-5-1, 12 KOs), 118, battered the breadbasket of taller and faster Yuki Murai (9-6-4, 3 KOs), 118, Japanese #7 ranked 108-pounder, despite bleeding from a gash on the forehead to be awarded a technical decision (88-83 twice and 87-84) at 2:27 of the ninth round. Fukuyama’s fighting spirit was praised by the audience. Kenbun Torres (2-1, 2 KOs), 118, the son of ex-WBC 108-pound champ German Torres residing in Japan, looked impressive in finishing Hiroaki Fujimoto (5-3-1, 3 KOs), 118, in the sixth and final round. The 17-year-old Torres, whose amateur mark was 20-1, 17 stoppages, looked promising with good speed and power.
Promoter: Green Tsuda Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi (as for the Rosas vs. Ebisuoka main event).
(3-6-05)