June 21, 2005
TOKYO, JAPAN-Game and gutsy Australian Dale Westerman (14-5, 6 KOs), 172.25, successfully kept his OPBF light-heavyweight belt as he made Japanese challenger Yoshinori Nishizawa (26-16-5, 14 KOs), 175, a bloody mess and scored a split but well-received split verdict over twelve gory rounds on Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan. The official tallies read: scoring-referee Bruce McTavish (Philippines) 115-113 and judge Carl Zappia (Australia) 120-108, both for the shorter but sturdy champ, and judge Kodai Kumazaki (Japan) 115-114 for Nishizawa. The 39-year-old challenger had failed to win the WBA and WBC 168-pound belt, losing to Anthony Mundine in Australia and Markus Beyer in Germany, and then recently moved up to the 175-pound division. Westerman, 35, was such a good left hooker that he often caught the taller Japanese with his trade-mark weapon, while Nishizawa aimed at the champfs breadbasket all the way. The Aussie was apparently more effective in swapping punches toe-to-toe in the close quarter. Westerman had him at bay with a series of left hooks in the ninth and tenth, and was in command in the last two rounds to confirm his victory. Nishizawa sustained bad gashes caused the champfs legal punches in the ninth and tenth, but kept fighting with his face wholly in crimson only to show his heart.
Promoter: Yonekura Promotions.
(6-21-05)