January 14, 2006
TOKYO, JAPAN-Unheralded underdog Yusuke Kobori (16-2-1, 8 KOs), 129.25, surprisingly acquired the vacant Japanese 130-pound belt (renounced by his stablemate Kobuhito Honmo) as he flattened hard-punching prefight favorite Keita Manabe (22-3-1, 19 KOs), 130, en route to an impressive TKO win at 3:00 of the second round on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. Kobori positively started punching, while Manabe cautiously tried to feel out his opponentfs opening attack in the first round. Koborifs vicious overhand right, in round two, dropped Manabe prone though he barely raised himself up. Kobori swarmed over the fading foe and stretched him with an effective combination, when referee Asao called a halt without taking a count. Itfs an upset result.
Promoter: Kadoebi Jewel Promoitons.
(1-14-06)
January 14, 2006
TOKYO, JAPAN-Formerly four-time world challenger Hiroyuki Sakamoto (38-7, 28 KOs), 139.75, made a successful return to the ring warfare as he floored Thailander Marnkornthong Polsongkhram (3-5, 1 KO), 139.5, four times and decked a fine TKO triumph at 1:04 of the third session on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. Ex-OPBF and Japanese 135-pound champ Sakamoto had failed to win a world lightweight belt, losing to Steve Johnston, Cesar Bazan, Gilberto Serrano and Takanori Hatakeyama. He overcame a serious lumbago and once engaged in a comeback go after a 31-month hiatus only to be stopped by Japanese southpaw Tsukasa Kashiwagi in five rounds here last May. Sakamoto, a still very popular hard-puncher among lots of aficionados, returned after eight months since, and thus scored a good victory. The 35-year-old Sakamoto said, gIfll go on until my career passes 50 fights.h But the left hooker still with a ring rust had better fight more tune-up bouts prior to his shot at any national or OPBF throne.
Promoter: Kadoebi Jewel Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi.
(1-14-06)