February 19, 2006
TOKONAME, JAPAN-Japanese #9 flyweight Shinnosuke Yasuda (14-1, 5 KOs), 117.75, withstood a furious assault of Thai #4 superfly Nongkhai Pathavikorngym (9-13, 2 KOs), 116.25, in the fifth and finally pummeled him into submission at 0:26 of the sixth round in a scheduled ten on Sunday in Tokoname, Japan.
Promoter: Tenyu Maruki Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizmi.
(2-19-06)
February 18, 2006
TOKYO, JAPAN-Japanese middleweight champ Toshihiko Itagaki (19-7, 10 KOs), 159.25, barely kept his national belt as he was awarded a split decision (97-94, 96-95 and 95-96) over top contender Tetsuya Suzuki (15-6, 11 KOs), a hard-hitting southpaw from Osaka, over ten on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. Although it was a close affair, the defending champ seemed to have had the upper hand over the fading lefty to control the middle rounds comfortably enough to win.
Ex-amateur champ Yoshihiro Kamegai (2-0, 2 KOs), handled by Akihiko Honda, 139.75, showed a fine form in demolishing Thailander Manfah Looksaikongdin (4-3, 2 KOs), 138.5, at 2:05 of the third round in a scheduled six. Kamegai looked very promising if his career is properly guided by the influential Honda. Up-and-coming speedster Kinshiro Usui (10-1, 4 KOs), Japanese #7 bantam, 118, had a tough time with the durability of Thai Lumpinee Stadium’s champ Samingnum Pathavikorngym (14-6, 5 KOs), 118, but swept all round en route to a shutout decision (80-73 twice and 80-74) over eight.
Promoter: Yokohama Hikari Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi (as for the Kamegai-Manfah and Usui-Samingnum bouts).
(2-18-06)
February 16, 2006
TOKYO, JAPAN-Unbeaten Japanese #9 superbantam Yu Enya (14-0, 8 KOs), 122, looked monotonous and unimpressive in outscoring Thai #9 ranked Chane Petchjinda (9-4, 5 KOs), 121.25, over eight. Despite a nearly shutout decision (80-73 twice and 79-74) Enya was criticized for his lack of follow-up to finish the lopsided affair only to disappoint the audience.
Promoter: Kawashima Promotions.
(2-16-06)
February 13, 2006
TOKYO, JAPAN-WBC#6/WBA#10 ranked Daisuke Naito (28-2-2, 19 KOs), 112, looked least impressive though he barely kept his Japanese flyweight belt on a highly debatable decision over previously unbeaten WBC#24 national top contender Daigo Nakahiro (13-1, 4 KOs), 111.75, over ten on Monday in Tokyo, Japan. Nakahiro made a good start and seemingly took the leadoff to pile up enough points to win before Naito turned loose in later rounds. Naito’s powerful but unorthodox style didn’t work well against the stylish footworker, whose lack of convincing power, however, cost the national belt.
Promoter: Miyata Promotions.
(2-13-06)
February 19, 2006
TOKYO, JAPAN-WBC top ranked 115-pound contender Jose Navarro, US, arrived here in Japan seventeen days earlier than his long-anticipated crack at the WBC throne against Masamori Tokuyama in Osaka on February 27. Navarro has been strenuously training at Akihiko Honda’s Teiken Gym with his faithful trainer Frank Rivera. They are to enter Osaka on February 23, four days before the title go, as he successfully got acclimated with the cold weather here. It will be a very competitive and sensational encounter.
(2-19-06)