## ISHII KEEPS JAPANESE 135LB BELT

July 05, 2008

TOKYO, JAPAN

OPBF#1 ranked Japanese lightweight champ Ichitaro Ishii (20-2-1, 16 KOs), 135, kept his belt as he was befuddled by opening attacks of OPBF#5 national top contender Shoji Kawase (18-3-5, 11 KOs), 134.5, unbeaten for last six years, but took back the initiative from the fourth on to be awarded a close but unanimous technical decision (67-66, 68-66 and 68-65) because of the challengerfs nasty laceration at 1:03 of the seventh round on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan.

The taller challenger from Nagoya made a good start as he utilized fast combinations and shifty footwork, taking points in the first and third. Kawase, however, sustained a bad gash by an accidental butt in the third, and it became worsened as the contest progressed. With the tide apparently turning in the fourth, the shorter but more powerful champ unleashed a solid left hook and a strong right cross at a time, dominating the fourth round onward. Having the challengerfs bad cut examined by the ringside physician four times, referee Tsuchiya finally called a halt to take a technical decision including the point of the seventh that ended midway. Ishii, who had acquired the vacant belt by a quick second-round demolition of Hiroshi Nakamori this March, had a tough time, but showed his admirable resilience and physical strength as well.

Promoter: Yokohama Hikari Promotions.

(7-5-08)

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