September 21, 2005
TOKYO, JAPAN-WBC bantamweight champ Hozumi Hasegawa (18-2, 5 KOs), Japan, engaged in a public workout for the press people at the Teiken Gym on Wednesday and showed hefs in good shape in preparation for his first defense against Mexican Gerardo Martinez (27-5-3, 20 KOs) in Yokohama here on this coming Sunday. Hasegawa captured the WBC belt by an upset unanimous decision over long-reigning Thailander Veeraphol Nakhornluang-Promotion in Tokyo last April. The Japanese southpaw, 24, was supposed to face the top contender Diego Morales, another lefty boxer, who pulled out because of having sustained a bad cut just before coming here. Hasegawa said, gI sparred 136 out of 140 rounds with southpaw partners to prepare for my fight with Diego Morales. I did sparring only four rounds with orthodox boxers after Martinez lately became my challenger, but therefs no problem as Ifve fought 19 orthodox opponents in my 20 pro bouts. Since this coming Sunday is our wedding anniversary, I hope to deck it with a fine victory and hold my child in the ring in celebration.h Hasegawa looked fast and sharp enough to show his good condition.
(9-21-05)