January 9, 2006
YOKOHAMA, JAPAN-Comebacking ex-WBC superfly champ, WBC#4/WBA#8 ranked Katsushige Kawashima (29-4, 19 KOs), 118, showed his strength in demolishing OPBF#5 ranked Thai ruler Phetchklongphai Soh Dharnthip (10-11, 1 KO), 116.75, at 2:21 of the fifth round in a scheduled ten beneath the Eagle-Nakajima WBC minimum title bout on Monday afternoon in Yokohama, Japan. Kawashima, after two successful defenses, yielded his WBC 115-pound belt to ex-champ Masamori Tokuyama, though dropping him in the final session last July. Kawashima, a sturdy hard-puncher, didnft look ring-rusty despite a six-month hiatus. He remained very aggressive from the start, stalking the defensive but flexible Thailander from pillar to post. Finally Kawashima caught him with a wicked straight right following a solid left hook, collapsing him prone on the deck. Referee Ukrid Sarasas started counting some, but realized that Phetchklongphai was obviously unable to raise himself up and resume fighting and then declared a TKO triumph for the ex-champ. Kawashima said, gIfd like to fight for a world belt either in the superfly or bantam division by the end of this 2006.h Kawashima, 31, seemed to have a potential to regain the throne, if an opportunity is given.
Promoter: Green Tsuda Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi.
(1-9-05)