March 7, 2006
TOKYO, JAPAN-Ex-world challenger and ex-OPBF middleweight champ Naotaka Hozumi (26-5-2, 22 KOs), 160, was held to a split draw (77-75 for him, 76-78, and 77-77) by up-and-coming Seizo Kiyota (10-1, 8 KOs), 159, over eight heats on Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan. Kiyota, former national 4-round tournament winner, made a good start with sharper combinations and had the upper hand over Hozumi,, 31, who had failed to win the WBA middle belt from William Joppy by a 10th round TKO defeat in 2002. Hozumi’s right optic was puffed by Kiyota’s combos, but Kiyota had a badly swollen right eye from the sixth round on. The tide turned, and Hozumi seemingly swept the last three rounds with his busy rallies in the close range. The 21-year-old Kiyota, however, has good potential to be a national champ in the future.
Japanese #2 ranked 108-pounder Katsuhiko Iezumi (20-6-2, 14 KOs), 108, landed a vicious left hook to drop Thailander Vinai Wor Suraphol (reportedly 7-6, no KO), 108, and made him hit the deck twice more en route to an automatic KO win at 2:00 of the second round in a scheduled eight.
Promoter: Flash Akabane Promotions.
(3-7-06)