February 20, 2006
TOKYO, JAPAN-Unbeaten Japan-based Russian, WBC#4/WBA#10 Sasha Baktin (16-0, 5 KOs), 117.75, looked least impressive in keeping his Japanese bantam belt despite his shutout decision (100-91 twice and 100-90) over top contender Yasuo Kijima (19-8-2, 5 KOs), 118, over ten on Monday in Tokyo, Japan. The poor Kijima kept boring in from the head without throwing punches like in a rugby game, while Sasha, a spider-like elongated speedster, kept retreating without outjabbing only to be content to occasionally counter the onrushing opponent all night. Sasha managed to take a point in every round though he looked sluggish and less sharp than usual. Itfs a really boring game, but Sasha, making his ninth defense, broke the Japanese record in the bantam class, eight consecutive defenses registered by Hiroshi Horiguchi 52 years ago.
Brazilian Luis Okamoto (8-4, 3 KOs), 147, upset Japanese #7 welter Takejiro Kato (18-6-2, 10 KOs), 147, by a close but unanimous nod (77-76, 78-77 and 79-76) over eight. Itfs as monotonous and boring as the main event, but Kato showed a terrible performance to drop an unexpected decision.
Promoter: Kyoei Promotions.
(2-20-06)