August 22, 2005
TOKYO, JAPAN-WBC#12 ranked Masayuki Arinaga (19-4-1, 9 KOs), 115, very impressively kept his OPBF 115-pound belt as he showed his best form in his career, made previously unbeaten hard-puncher Daisuke Maruyama (18-1, 13 KOs), 115, a bloody mess and finally flattened him with a devastating southpaw left at 2:20 of the ninth round on Monday in Tokyo, Japan. Maruyama, who had registered 13 consecutive KO wins including nine first-round KO streak from his pro debut, took the first round with his aggressiveness. But Arinaga started fireworks from the second and swept all rounds since, battering him with solid lefts and southpaw right hooks with precision. Having absorbed much punishment, Maruyama finally sunk prone when the champ exploded a vicious left that finely penetrated the tight guard of the challenger. Scores after the eighth: scoring referee Martin 79-73, Uratani 79-71, Sarasas 79-75, all in favor of Arinaga. Arinaga, handled by ex-WBA/WBC 105-pound champ Hideyuki Ohashi, had been castigated for his fluctuating performance, but looked awesome and strong this night.
Japanese #7 feather Masaki Sawanaga (17-7-4, 5 KOs), 126, eked out a hairline but unanimous nod (96-95 and 97-95 twice) over game and rough Yoshimasa Mochizuki (10-2-2, 4 KOs), 126, over ten. Sensational ex-amateur champ Akira Yaegashi, 106, ran his unblemished mark to 3-0, 3 KOs by dropping Danchai Sithsaithong, 106, Thailand, three times en route to a fine KO victory at 1:38 of the second round. His manager Ohashi wishes to have Yaegashi face some world-rated opponent in his next. Two-time ex-national amateur champ Satoshi Hosono, 130, made a pro debut as he failed to score an expected KO win but swept all rounds to pound out a shutout decision over Thai #3 ranked 130-pounder Wanchana Chuwatana (8-9, 7 KOs), 129, over six. Wanchana displayed his durability and resilience to win the praise of the crowd. Unbeaten prospect Seiichi Okada (2-0, 2 KOs), 130, landed a wicked right cross to dismantle Thailander Nopasak Chuwatana (1-4), 128, at 0:52 of the second session in a scheduled six.
Promoter: Ohashi Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi.
(8-22-05)