April 21, 2012
KOBE, JAPAN
Formerly world-rated ex-Japanese bantam champ Kohei Ohba (30-2-1, 12 KOs), 120, decked his comeback triumph after his bitter failure to win the OPBF throne from Rolly Matsushita via eleventh-round TKO defeat last December as he outpunched durable and game Filipino Ronnie Rex Dalut (6-4, 2 KOs), 118.5, to win a unanimous nod (77-75, 78-75 and 80-73) over eight hard-fought rounds on Saturday in Kobe, Japan. Ohba, who respects Floyd Mayweather and always attempts to imitate his style, often stayed with his back to the ropes, which should be corrected not to lose more points from the viewpoint of aggressiveness. Ohba displayed good jabs and solid straight rights to the onrushing Filipino.
Super-feather hard-puncher Akinori Kanai (23-2, 21 KOs), 130, barely eked out a split duke (78-74, 78-75 and 76-77) over OPBF#3 Filipino Joseph Von Minoza (13-3, 5 KOs), 130, as they swapped solid punches?with Kanai punching upstairs and Minoza digging downstairs?over sizzling eight.
Elongated bantam, OPBF#2 Eita Kikuchi (13-2-4, 5 KOs), 120, was awarded a TKO win over Filipino Joel Rafols (13-10, 4 KOs), 119.75, as Rafols claimed his right leg pain and retired after the fourth round in a scheduled eight.
Slick-punching southpaw Masayuki Wakimoto (19-3-1, 7 KOs), 126, defeated Filipino speedster Rena Branzuela (13-13), 124, by a unanimous decision (79-75, 79-74 and 80-74) over fast-moving eight.
All were competitive bouts with Filipino imports displaying hot and good performance.
Promoter: Shinsei Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi.
(4-21-2012)