## KONDO UPSETS WBA#9 MIGAKI

August 1, 2009

TOKYO, JAPAN

Unheralded Japanese #8 novice Akihiro Kondo (12-1, 6 KOs), 134.5, astoundingly captured the national lightweight belt by an unexpectedly quick stoppage of WBA#9 defending champ Ryuji Migaki (13-2, 9 KOs), 134.5, at only 0:45 into the opening session of a scheduled ten rounder on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. The Japanese 135-pound belt busily changed hands from then world-rated Ichitaro Ishii to Migaki, and to Kondo who had made a pro debut just in 2006.

Migaki, whose amateur mark was 52-18, 18 stoppages, suffered his first and last defeat in his pro debut at the hand of hard-hitting southpaw Kodai Kiyota in June 2004, and won all thirteen since including nine knockouts. Having dethroned Ishii (a highly evaluated conqueror of Randy Suico from whom he won the OPBF throne last December) via spectacular ninth round TKO win this April, Migaki entered the WBA top ten and zoomed up as one of the most brilliant prospects. Who had expected Migakifs forfeiture of his newly acquired belt in his initial defense to such a novice having fought eight-round preliminary bouts until last year?

As they tried to feel out each other by exchanging jabs in the beginning of the first stanza, Kondofs right cross quickly caught the champfs jaw with Migaki almost losing his equilibrium. As Kondo was about to follow it up, the referee held the fading champ and abruptly called a halt. Kondo, a muscular 24-year-old rookie whose amateur record was only 30-13, 17 KOs, thus scored an upset triumph and extended his winning streak to eleven after losing in his second pro bout.

### Undercard:

Ex-world challenger and ex-OPBF 115-pound champ Konosuke Tomiyama (19-2, 6 KOs), 118, decked a comeback go after a come-from-behind defeat by Nobuo Nashiro with the WBA belt at stake, as he had a tough time with counterpunching Masahito Igawa (9-5-1, 2 KOs), 118, but earned a unanimous nod (78-75, 78-74 and 80-71) over eight. Japan-based Venezuelan Carlos Linares (4-1, 4 KOs), 158, polished off Indonesian Tataq Hariwiyanto (3-2-1, no KO), 158.25, at 1:55 of the first round in a scheduled six. The ref tolled the fatal ten over the crashed loser in the corner.

Promoter: B Tight Promotions.

(8-1-09)

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