December 3, 2011
OSAKA, JAPAN
Former WBA super-bantam titlist, southpaw Akifumi Shimoda (24-3-1, 10 KOs), 125, showed his excellent form in controlling rough-and-tumble ex-OPBF feather ruler Jonel Alibio (16-13-1, 7 KOs), 125, with speedy and sharp performance, winning a nearly shutout decision (99-91 twice and 98-93) over ten fast rounds on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. Shimoda had captured the WBA throne by dropping Ryol-li Lee three times en route to a unanimous nod last January, but yielded it to mandatory challenger Rico Ramos via seventh round KO in Atlantic City this July. Having overcome his forfeiture of the prestigious belt, Shimada fully utilized his swift lateral mobility and showed plenty of southpaw one-two combinations that greatly bewildered the game Filipino. The ninth witnessed Shimada have him at bay with a fusillade of punches upstairs and downstairs, but Alibio refused to go down with his pride and resilience. Shimoda looked sharp though he couldn’t finish the ex-OPBF champ within the distance.
WBC#8/WBA#14 unbeaten super-light Japanese Yoshihiro Kamegai (20-0, 17 KOs), 146.5, finely displayed his defensive skills and pounded out a unanimous decision (79-73, 78-73 and 78-74) over hard-punching ex-Filipino champ Eusebio Baluarte (19-5, 12 KOs), 145.75, over eight. Kamegai had him on the deck with a wicked body shot miday in round five, but failed to follow it up and bring home the bacon early due to Baluarte’s admirable durability and determination. It was Kamegai’s first appearance since his campaign in Las Vegas, where he impressively stopped Hector Munoz in six rounds this October.
Promoter: Teiken Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi (as for both bouts).
(12-3-2011)