December 9, 2005
OSAKA, JAPAN-Kanazawa Promotions has announced that WBC 105-pound champ Masamori Tokuyama (31-8-1, 8 KOs) will defend his belt against the official challenger Jose Navarro (22-1, 11 KOs) in Osaka, Japan, on February 27. Tokuyama, then making his ninth defense, failed to keep his throne via shocking first round stoppage by Katsushige Kawashima in June of the previous year. Previously unbeaten Navarro had a crack at the WBC belt against Kawashima only to lose a controversial split decision here last January. Then, Tokuyama regained his crown by impressively outclassing and outpunching Kawashima to win a unanimous nod this July. Tokuyama will make his initial defense against Navarro, a crafty and slick-punching southpaw, since recapturing the belt. It will be a highly competitive game since both are well-educated and skillful boxers.
(12-9-05)