June 26, 2008
TOKYO, JAPAN
Ex-OPBF and national middleweight champ and former world challenger, Naotaka Hozumi (30-7-2, 23 KOs), 33, was shamefully suspended indefinitely on Tuesday by the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) for his previous obstruction of a performance of official duties. Hozumi was arrested by the police on February 23, when he drunkenly had a quarrel with a policeman at a national railway entrance. Hozumi was then questioned if he was committing an illegal train-ride, so became mad against the policeman, whom the ex-champ reportedly never hit with his fists. Hozumi, vastly talented when young, once had an ambitious but unsuccessful crack at the WBA 160-pound belt against William Joppy, succumbing in ten lopsided rounds here in Tokyo in 2002. Hozumi has been still active, as he defeated Fukutaro Ujiie by a split verdict last October. Problem was why such an incident wasnft revealed for four months after his arrest.
(6-26-08)