April 8, 2011
Kobe, Japan
WBC super-feather champ Takahiro Aoh (21-2-1, 10 KOs), 130, a Japanese southpaw, looked impressive in successfully making his initial defense as he outhustled ex-WBC interim ruler Humberto Gutierrez (28-3-1, 20 KOs), 130, Mexico, from the outset, entirely controlled the bout with effective combinations and finally sank him with a single vicious right hook to the belly at 1:06 of the fourth round on Friday in Kobe, Japan.
It was the first of the WBC world title triple-header and an encounter of pugnacious southpaws, which fully entertained the sell-out crowd at the World Memorial Hall. Aoh, who had dethroned German Vitaly Tajbert via unanimous nod here last November, took the inititative with a good attack, pressing the action from the first round. Aoh, formerly six-time national amateur high school champ, steadily piled up points as he gamely mixed it up and had the upper hand over the taller but slower Mexican hombre.
The third saw Aoh whip the flat-footed Mexican from all angles, but Gutierrez, five years his junior at 22, once landed a southpaw right hook to have the champ bewildered for the first time in the contest. But it was apparently Aoh's round.
Aoh, in round four, positively started his attack to the fast-fading challenger, and dug a very solid right hook to the liver. Down he went. Gutierrez, in agony, fell on all fours to be unable to beat the count of the referee John Schorle (US).
The official tallies before the trick happening were as follows: Maximo DeLuca (US) and Anek Hongtongkam (Thailand) both 30-27, and Rey Danseco (Philippines) 29-28, all in favor of the gallant and game Aoh, handled by Akihiko Honda. Aoh displayed his progress in aggressiveness and power-punching, as reported, since he used be a clever and cautious speedster. Aoh looked physically and mentally strong tonight.
Promoter: Teiken Promotions.
(4-8-11)