February 11, 2007
OSAKA, JAPAN
There took place a couple of separate promotions in the daytime and at night at the same IMP Hall, Osaka, Japan.
Unranked Goro Tachibana (8-5-1, 1 KO), 107.75, earned an upset split decision over Japanese #9 ranked Naoya Kishida (12-5-3, 5 KOs), 108, over ten hard-fought rounds.
Japanese #9 ranked 140-pounder, hard-hitting Kenryo Matsumoto (19-3-2, 14 KOs), 140, survived an opening attack of Thai #7 super-light Manfah Looksaikondeen (5-5, 2 KOs), 138.75, and landed a strong countering left hook to finish the Thailander at 1:10 of the fourth round in a scheduled ten. Matsumoto is gunning for a shot at world-rated Japanese national champ Norio Kimura, so his manager Osamu Yoshii booked a southpaw opponent in this tune-up bout in preparation for his boy’s shot at the lefty Kimura.
Japanese #3 minimum Kenichi Horikawa (13-5-1, 4 KOs), 106, pounded out a unanimous verdict (98-92 twice and 97-93) over Masateru Yamawaki (7-2-1, no KO), 106, over ten.
Promoter: Yoshiyama Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi (as for the Matsumoto-Manfah bout).
In a night program, OPBF#9 ranked Thai top bantam contender Samingnum Wor Wiwatananon (16-9, 7 KOs), 117, floored Kazuhiro Matsuda (7-6-5, 4 KOs), 118, in the ninth and earned a close but unanimous decision (96-93 twice and 96-94) over ten heats. It was a very competitive battle between the boxer Matsuda and the puncher Samingnum. The Japanese took the leadoff, circling and jabbing the Thailander well. Samingnum aimed to counter just after Matsuda threw punches, which paid off well. The fifth, however, saw the taller Matsuda land overhand rights to win a point. The tide busily turned but Samingnum scored an important knockdown, which was seemingly caused by a push of the Thai boxer. Matsuda fought back hard in order to overcome the deficit on points in the last two rounds, but his attack wasn’t enough to do so.
Promoter: Kanazawa Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi (as for the Samingnum-Matsuda bout).