December 10, 2006
TOKYO, JAPAN
Japan entered hot winter this December. Unbeaten WBA 115-pound champ Nobuo Nashiro, on December 2, kept his belt by unanimously defeating Mexican Eduardo Garcia on points in Osaka, Japan. On the same day, in Paris, France, Takefumi Sakata fought unbeaten Panamanian Roberto Vasquez in a quest for the WBA interim flyweight belt only to lose a debatable split decision (114-113, 113-114 and 113-115). On December 20, WBA light fly champ Koki Kameda will participate in a sensational rematch with Juan Jose Landaeta of Venezuela with his title at stake in Tokyo. On January 3, in a world twinbill, WBA 130-pound champ Edwin Valero (20-0, 20 KOs) will make his initial defense against Mexican Michael Lozada in Tokyo. Also, ex-WBC champ Katsushige Kawashima, Japan, will face WBC 115-pound ruler Cristian Mijares, Mexico, for the legitimate belt in a rematch. As Masamori Tokuyama lately relinquished his throne, Mijares, the interim champ in the same division, has elevated to the full champ. It is getting cold here in the beginning of winter, but the fistic scene looks very hot.
(12-10-06)