May 19, 2005
TOKYO, JAPAN-Fast-rising Japanese top ranked 122-pounder Rikiya Fukuhara (16-1-1, 13 KOs), 123.25, sank Thailander Chaloemchat Kietprasanchai (5-12, 3 KOs), 123.25, for the count with a single body shot at 1:19 of the first round on Thursday in Tokyo, Japan. Fukuhara had raised his stock by demolishing ex-national champ Yuji Eugenio Gomez into a retirement last year, and is gunning for a mandatory shot at WBA#4/WBC#9 national champ Shoji Kimura this fall. Fukuhara, a tall and stylish hard-puncher, may become a popular star should he dethrone Kimura to enter the world ratings.
Unbeaten Japanese #7 lightweight Hiroshi Nakamori (15-0-1, 10 KOs), 139, floored Shinji Akazawa (8-2, 4 KOs), 138.5, twice and stopped him at 2:01 of the fourth session in a scheduled eight. Nakamori, handled by ex-WBA 140-pound champ Akinobu Hiranaka, is a vastly talented youngster, but had better improve his balance and defensive skills. Busy-punching Yoshihiro Muroi (9-3-1, 1 KO), 129.75, defeated Thailander Mangkornthong Polsongkram (3-3, 1 KO), 128.75, by a unanimous nod (79-74, 80-74 and 79-73) over eight.
Promoter: Watanabe Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi.
(5-19-05)
May 19, 2005
OSAKA, JAPAN-Up-and-coming Japanese #9 lightweight Takehiko Toki (11-1-1, 8 KOs), 136.75, floored Thai #3 ranked 130-pounder Wanchana Chuwatana (reportedly 10-11, 5 KOs), 136.5, twice to halt him at 2:05 of the sixth round in a scheduled ten on Thursday in Osaka, Japan. Toki is an elongated boxer and the son of Apollo Yoshio, ex-Orient junior light champ, who failed to win the world throne three times from Ricardo Arredondo (L15), Ben Villaflor (D15) and Samuel Serrano (L15) in 1973, 1974 and 1977 respectively. His son Takehiko seems promising if he should gain more power.
Promoter: Apollo Promotions.
(5-19-05)