September 14, 2008
TOKYO, JAPAN
It is marvelous that Teiken Promotions, despite recession here in Japan, stages a tripleheader with as many world belts on the line tomorrow (Monday; a substitute holiday of Respect-for-the-Aged Day) in Yokohama. The promoter Akihiko Honda is aggressive enough to also promote a world title twinbill in succession on October 16.
The weigh-in ceremony took place today at the Tokyo Dome Hotel, and it proceeded so efficiently as to end in just ten minutes for all the six contestants.
Yutaka Niida (23-1-3, 9 KOs), the defending champ of Japan, tipped the beam at 104.25, while the official challenger Roman Gonzalez (20-0, 18 KOs), Nicaragua, 104.5.
The officials are: referee Mark Nelson (US); judges John Poturaj (US), Sergio Caiz (US) and Pinit Prayadsab (Thailand).
#2 Toshiaki Nishioka (31-4-3, 19 KOs), Japan, scaled in at 121.75 to 122 (the class limit) for Napapol Kiatisakchkchai (46-2-1, 39 KOs), Thailand.
The officials are: Kenny Bayless (US); Benjamin Rendon (Mexico), Samuel Conde (Puerto Rico) and James JenKin (US).
#1 Nobuo Nashiro (11-1, 7 KOs), ex-WBA champ, and #3 ex-OPBF ruler Kohei Kono (21-3, 7 KOs) both weighed in at the 115-pound class limit.
The officials are: referee Pinit Prayadsab (Thailand); judges John Poturaj (US), Takeshi Shimakawa and Takeo Harada (both Japan).
"PREVIEW"
Niida, making his eighth defense, faces the dangerous KO artist Gonzalez, a pupil cultivated by Nicaraguan hero Alexis Arguello. The Japanese champ seems very confident, saying, “I’m much more experienced through previous defenses and I’m faster. I’ll outspeed Gonzalez.” But Gonzalez, who has already become a Latin American sensation, demolished 18 victims in 20 victories straight.
The 21-year-old youngster Gonzalez showed his breathtaking power punching in his debut here in Japan as he pulverized then highly world-rated Filipino Heriberto Gejon (who had twice lost to Niida by a close decision in 2005 and 2007) with a single body shot to the side of the belly in the first round last November. But the Nicaraguan sensation, then 16-0, 16 KOs, went the distance for the first time in his career when Japanese lefty veteran Hiroshi Matsumoto kept moving to and fro and refused to go down despite losing a unanimous decision this January.
Gonzalez may or may not follow a same weakness of Arguello having had a tough time with such a fleet-footed speedster Vilomar Fernandez. Niida, eight years his senior at 29, may be able to frustrate the less experienced Nicaraguan with his speed on hand and foot.
At the weigh-in we witnessed their physical difference as Niida, one and a half inch shorter than 5’3” Gonzalez, looked much smaller than the Nicaraguan hard-puncher. Should they happen to mix up toe to toe, Gonzalez may overpower the champ to bring the belt to Nicaragua and show it to Arguello as well as his huge supporters. It is said 70% of Nicaraguan people will get up so early to watch a live telecast at 4 AM. Whether their morning celebration will take place or not will depend on Gonzalez’s performance in Japan.
Nishioka, a 32-year-old veteran southpaw, previously failed to win the WBC bantam throne from long-reigning Thailander Veeraphol Nakhornluang-Promotion Sahaprom via each two decision losses and draws on four occasions. It is very ironic that the arch rival Veeraphol, now retired, is the trainer of his opponent Napapol. Nishioka had to face Veeraphol time and again at the press conference, medical exam and weigh-in.
Nishioka, a slick-punching hard-hitter, has been unbeaten in eight bouts since his last defeat by Veeraphol with the WBC belt at stake in 2004. The veteran iced four opponents such as Jose Alonso, Jean Javier Sotelo, Pedrito Laurente and Jesus Garcia in his latest bouts to show his determination and desire to fight in a quest for a world belt once again.
Napapol, 29, also experienced a bitter taste when he had an ambitious crack at the WBC throne against Oscar Larios, losing via tenth-round stoppage in Los Angeles in 2003. The tall Thailander, since then, kept winning to score 18 consecutive knockouts, regardless of the quality of opponents. His most important triumph was registered in a WBC eliminator with a highly ranked compatriot named Saenghiran Lookbanyai, then unbeaten, whom Napapol flattened in the tenth, though losing on points in the process prior to a come-from-behind KO last September.
Napapol was recently saved by a hometown draw with unheralded Filipino Jack Asis, who amazingly floored the WBC#2 Thailander again and again in the eighth and last round last November. His carelessness and suspect chin may account for such a humiliation.
Physically is Napapol bigger as if he is a full-fledged featherweight, while Nishioka outgrew the bantam division four years ago. In terms of speed and skills, Nishioka is superior through his experiences with name opposition. Napapol, however, may possess more advantageous physical power and stamina. It will be a very competitive bout.
Nashiro, in his eighth pro bout, stunned the fistic world when he dethroned then highly regarded WBA 115-pound champ Martin Castillo via tenth round stoppage in 2006. The short but slick-punching Nashiro yielded his belt to ex-champ Alexander Munoz by a unanimous verdict in his second defense in May of the previous year. Since then, he showed an improvement in dispatching Petchklongpai Sor Thantip (TKO3) and Sairung Suwanasil (KO3).
Kono is a non-stop punching Fighting Harada stylist with abundant stamina and good speed. Having scored an upset KO win over world-rated compatriot Prosper Matsuura in 2006, Kono acquired the national and OPBF belts to his credit. Kono, a year his senior at 27, has defeated such name opponents as Teppei Kikui (W10), Eden Sonsona (W12) and ex-world challenger Kuniyuki Aizawa (W12). As shown by only seven knockout wins out of 21 wins, Kono isn’t a hard-puncher but a fighter dependent on a volume of combination punching.
Nashiro may be better skilled with good counterpunching, but Kono’s tremendous physical power and advantageous physique cannot be denied because of his latest impressive performance. The winner and new WBA champ will be obliged to face the victor of an encounter between the interim ruler Rafael Conception and Jorge Arce which also takes place on the same day (though there is a time difference between Mexico and Japan).
The tripleheader will be shown not only in Japan but also in Nicaragua and Thailand.
(9-14-08)