November 13, 2005
KISARAZU, JAPAN-Newly crowned Japanese middleweight champ ToshihikoItagaki (18-7, 10 KOs), 161, made a herofs return beforeplenty of adherents at his home turf and displayed a quick demolition ofThailander Feadsayam Sakthavin (4-3, 1 KO), 162.25, with a single righthand at 0:58 into the opening session in a scheduled ten on Sunday inKisarazu, Japan. Itagaki had annexed the national belt by upsettingSatoru Suzuki last June, and this is Itagakifs firstappearance since.
Six footer Yuichi Imai (5-5, 2 KOs), 164.75, appeared after a two-yearhiatus and scored a shutout decision (60-53, 60-54 and 60-55) overKangkej Chuwatana (2-4, no KO), 164.75, over six.
Promoter: Kisarazu Green Bay Gym.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi.
(11-13-05)
November 12, 2005
CHIGASAKI, JAPAN-44-year-old ex-Japanese 122-pound champ Hiroaki Yokota(28-5-2, 15 KOs), 135, decked his second comeback win as he defeatedJunichiro Kawai, 133.75, by a unanimous decision over six on Saturday inChigasaki, Japan. Yokota, a puzzling southpaw, once had an ambitiouscrack at the WBA super-bantam belt against Wilfredo Vazquez, losing aclose but unanimous decision here in Tokyo in 1993. Yokota once retiredto open his Yokota Boxing Club and has become a manager of younger boys. But his motivation to fight again made him return to the ring warfareafter a six-year layoff last November, when Yokota barely scored a sixround decision over a Thailander Chartsuk in Tokyo. Yokota, after thisvictory, was reluctant to comment on his plan on whether or not to fighton.
Promoter: Piston Hiriguchi Promotions.
(11-12-05)