July 18, 2005
TOKYO, JAPAN-WBA #3 ranked flyweight Takefumi Sakata (24-2-1, 10 KOs), 114.75, decked a tune-up go prior to his rematch with Venezuelan Lorenzo Parra with his WBA 112-pound title at stake here on September 19, as he defeated Takuro Kodama (9-5-3, 5 KOs), 115.75, by a lopsided decision (100-91, 100-92 and 99-91) over ten on Monday in Tokyo, Japan. Sakata previously had a shot at the same WBA belt against Parra and fought very well only to lose a majority nod here in June of the last year. But Sakata, a game speedster, suffered a broken jaw during the title bout and had to be inactive for ten months. Sakata, piloted by Keiichiro Kanehira, returned to the ring warfare, blasting out Thailander Kongthoranee Gogunmanon in the first session this April. Having scored his second comebacking win, Sakata proved hefs ready and expressed his wish to dethrone his grudge rival Parra. WBC top ranked Jose Navarro was in attendance, as he visited here to serve as a sparring partner for the up-and-coming flyweight sensation Koki Kameda for a week. On the same day of the Tokuyama-Kawashima WBC superfly title bout in Osaka, why didn't he watch it there but see another fight in Tokyo though guaranteed a title crack at the winner Tokuyama?
Promoter: Kyoei Promotions.
(7-18-05)