## JAPAN UPDATE

January 15, 2012

TOKYO, JAPAN

The first show in Japan was held at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on Wednesday (January 11), when two-time world challenger Takehiro Shimada (27-5-1, 17 KOs), 134.5, emerged victorious over compatriot Kosuke Iwashita (13-12-2, 7 KOs), 134.5, by showing his superior ringcraft and experience en route to a unanimous decision (80-73, 79-73 and 79-75) over eight hot rounds. The 40-year-old veteran Shimada had failed to win the belt twice from Edwin Valero in Tokyo and Paulus Moses in Namibia. Shimada is still gunning for a third shot at a world championship.

Keiichiro Kanehira of Kyoei Promotions, upon his return from Thailand, has announced that Yota Sato will have a shot at the WBC 115-pound belt against Suriyan Sor.Rungvisai in Tokyo in the end of March. The Thailander had wrested the WBC super-fly crown from Mexican southpaw Tomas Rojas at his home turf in August and successfully made his initial defense against ex-WBA ruler Nobuo Nashiro on points last November. Sato, Japanese national champ with five defenses to his credit, has lately renounced his belt to concentrate on his ambitious crack at the throne.

WBC super-bantam ruler Toshiaki Nishioka was named Japanfs Boxer of the Year by the Boxing Section of Tokyo Sports Writers Club for the second straight year. His victorious effort against Rafael Marquez in October was also elected Fight of the Year.

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