April 20, 2008
MIYAZAKI, JAPAN
Japanese top contender Koji Numata (14-2-1, 9 KOs), 147, astoundingly captured the national welterweight belt as he displayed an unexpected demolition of WBA#14 defending champ Tadashi Yuba (32-5-2, 23 KOs), 146.75, at 2:13 of the fourth round in a scheduled ten on Sunday in Miyazaki, Japan.
Yuba, a prohibitive southpaw favorite, made a good start, utilizing his six-foot height and advantageous reach. Numata, a shorter but sturdy puncher, landed good rights to the left champ to dominate the second. Yuba, who had received a Knockout Award for 2007 by the Japanese sports writers club, was in command with versatile combinations in the first half of the third, but Numata showed a fine retaliation thereafter. A trick happened in the fourth as Numata sent him sprawling to the deck with a well-timed right to the southpaw champ. The underdog Numata swarmed over the fading champ and dropped him again with a fusillade of punches, pinning him to the neutral corner. Yuba failed to beat the fatal ten, which produced a nationwide fistic shock among fight fans.@Itfs a stunning upset.
Promoter: Miyakonojo Leo Sports Promotions.
(4-20-08)