## RAIKA EDGES BROWN

May 9, 2008

TOKYO, JAPAN

It was a historically first night featuring all female boxers after the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) duly recognized the female boxing this year. WBA#1/WBC#2 lightweight Fujin Raika (18-3-1, 6 KOs), 136, eked out a majority but well-received decision (58-57, 58-56 and 58-58) over WBC#14 super-light Nathalie Brown (5-1, 3 KOs), 136.25, over six heats on Friday in Tokyo, Japan. Raika, a stout-built puncher, had a tough time coping with the fast and sharp Brown, whose flicker jab and footwork kept the Japanese from coming close to her in the first two rounds. Raika, however, kept boring in and connected with left hooks and right crosses as Brown began to run out of gas. Raika looked to dominate the third through fifth sessions, though they fought on even terms in the last round. It was a good fight.

### Undercard:

WBA#7 bantam/WBC#21 super-fly Rie Fujimoto, 112, fought back hard to earn a majority nod (58-57 twice and 57-57) over hard-punching Asami Shikasho, 110.75, over six.

Naomi Togashi, 104.75, a midwife, battered WBC#12 straw Anri Tenshin, 104, to have her retire after the second session. Tenshin, who had failed to win the WBC belt in Thailand last August, was carried out of the ring on a stretcher.

WBC#22 super-fly Tsubasa Tenku, 117.5, looked very impressive with her speed and skills as he she chalked up a fine TKO over Miki Kikukawa, 117, at 0:46 of the fifth round in a scheduled six. Tenku may have a talent to become a Japanese Million Dollar Baby.

Slick-punching southpaw Etsuko Tada, 105, proved too sharp and accurate for WBC#10 straw Thailander, Lilli Rachaprachagym, 103.75, in pounding out a unanimous verdict (59-55 twice and 60-55) over six.

WBC#9 atom Momo Koseki, 104, defeated Mayumi Kubo, 104.25, by a unanimous decision (40-37 twice and 40-36) over four.

Tomoko Ito, 104.75, was awarded an upset technical decision (39-38 twice and 39-37) over WBC#15 straw Mami Ito, 103.75, at 0:24 of the fourth and final session. Mami sustained such a grotesque swelling on the forehead that the JBC physician advised the ref to halt the proceedings.

Natsuki Noguchi, 122.25, a fighting kindergartner, kept punching downstairs and earned a majority nod (39-38 twice and 38-38) over Kiyoka Miyoshi, 122.25, over four.

Tomoyo Noguchi, 101, eked out a hairline decision (39-38 twice and 39-37) over Yu Koshiishi, 100.5, over four.

Sakura Ouchi, 101.25, floored Yuka Kobayashi, 93.5, in the third and won a unanimous decision (38-37 twice and 39-37) over four.

Despite the prejudice of stubborn hardcore fight fans, almost all were hard-fought and entertained the sellout audience at the Korakuen Hall.

Promoter: Japan Pro Boxing Association (JPBA).

(5-9-08)

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