September 19, 2005
TOKYO, JAPAN-WBA flyweight champ Lorenzo Parra (26-0, 17 KOs), 112, Venezuela, very barely kept his belt as he had a tough time coping with constantly aggressive Takefumi Sakata (24-3-1, 10 KOs), 112, Japan, but managed to earn a majority decision over twelve heats on Monday night at the Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan. The official tallies were as follows: Guy Jutras (Canada) 115-113, Medardo Villalobos (Panama) 114-113, both for the defending titlist, and Silvestre Abainza (Philippines) 114-114. The referee was Raul Caiz Sr. (US).
The rematch followed an almost similar pattern as their first encounter that had also ended in a majority verdict in Parra’s favor here in June of the previous year. The champ made a good start by making good use of his sharp jabs. Sakata, 25, started fireworks from the third, while Parra, two years his senior, kept outboxing to attempt to counter the willing mixer. Sakata kept stalking the retreating champ, who occasionally caught him with a bit more accurate combinations. The Venezuelan, making his fourth defense since dethroning Eric Morel in 2003, couldn’t display his best form, but Sakata failed to catch the apparently fading champ with his busy combos. The eleventh saw referee Caiz penalize a point from Parra for having hit low under the belt, which made the tallies closer but not enough for Sataka to seize a victory. Parra is to risk his WBA 112-pound throne against perennial top contender Brahim Asloum, in attendance here, in Paris on December 5.
Promoter: Kyoei Promotions in association with Teiken Promotions.
(9-19-05)