March 24, 2006
KOBE, JAPAN-Fast-punching Hozumi Hasegawa (19-2, 6 KOs) , Japan, will risk his WBC bantam belt against top ranked ex-champ Veeraphol Nakhornluang-Promotion (52-2-2, 37 KOs), from Thailand, in Kobe, Japan, tomorrow (Saturday). The weigh-in ceremony was held today with Hasegawa tipping the beam at the 118-pound class limit, while Veeraphol scaling a quarter pound lighter. The WBC officials are as follows: referee Guadalupe Garcia (Mexico); judges Marty Denkin (US), Hubert Minn (US) and Sergio Silvi (Italy); and supervisor Gabriel Penagricano (Puerto Rico).
It is a grudge fight with Hasegawa having dethroned the Thai legend, then making his 15th defense, by a close but unanimous verdict (115-113 twice and 116-112) in Tokyo last April. The Japanese southpaw outspeeded Veeraphol with his tremendous opening attacks, with which he took the initiative to comfortably pile up points, withstood the champfs furious retaliation in middle rounds and showed his last surge to confirm his upset triumph. It was such a fiercely fought battle that it was elected Fight of the Year by Japanese fight scribes. Also, Hasegawa was named Boxer of the Year thanks to his remarkable victory.
Since then, Veeraphol engaged in five tune-up bouts all against southpaw oppositions, winning all with four within the distance. The 37-year-old Thailander repented of having underestimated the then internationally unheralded Japanese, and pledged to win back the belt to Thailand. Reportedly Veeraphol may intend to work the body to stop Hasegawa from utilizing his busy footwork and fast combinations. If successful, he will be able to regain his belt from the less experienced champ Hasegawa.
Hasegawa, 12 years his junior at 25, made his initial defense by demolishing Mexican Gerardo Martinez in seven lopsided rounds last September. Hasegawa has been strenuously training in order to repeat his triumph over the still highly regarded Thailander by Japanese fight fans. It will be a highly competitive rematch we cannot easily predict which will win.
It is presented by Senrima Kobe Promotions in association with Teiken Promotions.
(3-24-06)