December 17, 2008
TOKYO, JAPAN
WBC#8 Daigo Nakahiro (19-2, 8 KOs), 114.75, a slick-punching speedster, acquired the vacant Japanese national super-flyweight belt (vacated by ex-WBA challenger Kohei Kono) as he outboxed JBC top contender Junichiro Sugita (14-2, 7 KOs), 115, in earlier rounds, withstood his desperate retaliation down the stretch and eked out a split but popular decision (97-94, 96-95 and 96-97) over ten frames on Wednesday in Tokyo, Japan.
Having suffered a couple of decision losses to Daisuke Naito for the national flyweight belt and to Pongsaklek Wongjongkam for the WBC 112-pound throne, both in 2006, Nakahiro kept his winning streak in six bouts since. But Nakahiro wasnft sharp enough to display his usual sharpshooting only to mix it up with the less experienced, less skillful but game youngster (one of the Sugita twins along with Yujiro Sugita). Nakahiro failed to utilize his leading lefts for proper judgment of distance, and missed plenty of shots, but seemingly connected with more shots to the onrushing opponent. It was simply a lousy fight, though both showing their fighting spirit.
Promoter: B-tight Promotions.
(12-17-08)