April 16, 2005
TOKYO, JAPAN-Bright prospect, WBA #10 ranked feather Jorge “El Nino de Oro (Golden Boy)” Linares (14-0, 7 KOs), 127.5, swept all rounds with sharp jabs and combinations before he impressively flattened Mexican Luis Perez (18-9, 8 KOs), 128, with a beautiful left-right combo at 1:49 of the fourth round on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. His damage was such that the referee didn’t bother to count and promptly declared a KO victory for the 19-year-old prospect whose amateur mark was 145-5. Linares, a tall and stylish boxer managed by Akihiko Honda, is supposed to meet ex-world champ Pablo Chacon in the WBA KO Droga promotion in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on May 26. He may cause a sensation with his improved power-punching and excellent skills.
In a companion six-rounder, unbeaten southpaw prospect Takahiro Ao (7-0, 5 KOs), 127, pounded out a shutout decision over a durable Mexican named Mario Rodriguez (5-4, 3 KOs), 126.75, over six. Ao, formerly six-time national high school champ, is also handled by Honda.
Promoter: Teiken Promotions.
(4-16-05)