April 1, 2006
TOKYO, JAPAN-Unbeaten WBA#3/WBC#4 ranked featherweight, “El Nino de Oro (Golden Boy)” Jorge Linares (20-0, 12 KOs), 127, had a tough time coping with incredibly durable Saohin Sirithai Condo (49-12, 33 KOs), 127, but displayed his superior reflexes and remarkable speed in outclassing the veteran Thailander to pound out a unanimous decision (98-93 twice and 98-96) over ten heats on Saturday night in Tokyo, Japan. For Linares, twelve years his junior at only 20, it was his toughest battle, as Saohin kept coming forward, though Linares utilized his fast footwork and stinging lefts to pile up points steadily. Since the Venezuelan came to Japan at the age of seventeen, this vastly talented youngster experienced 20 bouts without a setback and is gunning for a shot at the WBA 126-pound belt against Indonesian Chris John in the nearest future.
Hard-hitting southpaw, Japanese #2 ranked 154-pounder Takuji Matsuhashi (9-1, 9 KOs), 155.5, dropped Korean #3 Kyungsuk Shim (4-2, 3 KOs), 153.25, twice and stopped him at 1:18 of the second round in a scheduled eight. Ex-national amateur champ Koji Sato, 162, ran his unblemished mark to 5-0, 5 KOs by halting game but groggy Pilsung Oh (4-2, 3 KOs), 157.75, Korean #6 middleweight, at 1:58 of the sixth session.
Promoter: Akihiko Honda’s Teiken Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi.
(4-1-06)