January 5, 2008
OSAKA, JAPAN
In the main event featuring five Japanese-Thailander encounters, ex-WBC/WBA 105-pound champ Katsunari Takayama (20-3, 8 KOs), 106, proved faster, if not more powerful, than OPBF top ranked Thai national titlist Ngaophrajantr Sishtradrakarn (6-6, 5 KOs), 105.5, and almost knocked him out of the ropes with the referee Miyazaki’s well-received intervention at 1:24 of the ninth round in a scheduled ten on Saturday in Osaka, Japan.
It was rare that the very short 5’2” Takayama fought an opponent shorter than he by two inches. The Thai champ, despite his mediocre credentials, had a reputation for his durability and determination in every fight here. Fast and furious, Takayama swept almost all rounds from the outset, but Ngaophrajantre very gamely retaliated with looping rights to the incessantly moving Japanese. Ringsiders murmured at the Thai boy’s great endurance after the eight, but Takayama displayed a last surge as he battered the Thailander from all angles and finally knocked the upper body of his opponent out of the ropes. The ref called a halt to save him from further punishment. Takayama, however, needs more power to regain the world throne, as his power-puff punching didn’t seem to hurt the Thai boy at all despite throwing twice as many as the loser before the stoppage.
OPBF#8 Thai light-fly champ Suriya Khlongphajon (10-5, 3 KOs), 114.75, stunned the crowd by flooring ex-OPBF flyweight champ Noriyuki Komatsu (22-5-6, 10 KOs), 115, twice in the opening session, and went to earn an upset majority decision (97-92, 97-94 and 95-95) over ten. Komatsu regained his feet from the third and fought back hard with busy combinations, but Suriya’s crisp punching looked more effective in the close quarter.
Former OPBF 140-pound challenger Daigoro Yamamoto (12-4-4, 9 KOs), 142.75, decked Thai #6 welter Parinya Jockey-Gym (8-3-1, 2 KOs), 142.75, with a smashing left-right combo in the first, but the Thailander showed his great recuperation to make it a split draw (96-95 for Yamamoto, 94-95 against him and 95-95) over ten. This reporter saw it 95-94 for Parinya due to his busier and more effective combinations.
Unbeaten prospect Ryo Miyazaki (5-0-1, 3 KOs), 108, came off the canvas from a visit caused by a well-timed jab of Thaminkhao Sor. Tharnthip (7-3, 3 KOs), 107.25, in the first, and demolished him with very solid body shots at 1:40 of the second session in a scheduled eight. Kosuke Takeichi, 106, polished off Thailander Jampathong Polsongkram, 105.75, at 2:36 of the opening canto in the first eight.
Promoter: Kanazawa Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi.
(1-5-07)