December 30, 2014
TOKYO, JAPAN
Two-time world champ, Japan-based Venezuelan Jorge Linares (38-3, 25 KOs), 134.75, impressively acquired his third WBC lightweight belt as he caught WBC#2 Mexican Javier Prieto (24-8-2, 18 KOs), 134.5, with a beautiful left-right combination to have him flat for the count at 1:50 of the fourth session on Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan. It was the first in the world title tripleheader at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, where the well-packed spectators witnessed a spectacular knockout of Linares who had once gained the WBA feather and WBC super-feather titles to move up to the 135-pound category.
Linares, from the outset, cautiously outboxed and outjabbed the sturdy Mexican and steadily piled up points to feel out his opponent’s style and strategy. He accelerated his attack but prudently kept his distance with sharp and swift jabs to the game Mexican. The fourth witnessed Linares throw a very solid left-right combo that sent Pierto to the canvas. The Mexican stayed prone with his hands under the head as if he was taking a sunbath. His damage was so heavy that he couldn’t move only to be counted out by the referee Hernan Guajardo from Argentina, who might have been able to toll a hundred counts.
Unbeaten bright super-fly prospect, WBA#10/WB#14 tall and hard-punching Ryo Matsumoto (13-0, 11 KOs), 114.75, seized the vacant OPBF 115-pound belt by dispatching world-rated Thailander Rusalee Samor (25-6-2, 11 KOs), 114.25, with a barrage of solid punches at 0:43 of the twelfth and final round. Matsumoto may be a future world champ out of Ohashi Gym, following the footsteps of Akira Yaegashi and Naoya Inoue.
In a unique confrontation of the brothers of the main eventers, unbeaten world contender Takuma Inoue (4-0, 1 KO), 114, defeated former world challenger Nestor Daniel Narvaez (20-3-2-1NC), 113.25, Argentina, by a shutout decision (80-73, 80-72 twice) over eight. Inoue outsped and out powered Narvaez, winning all rounds with ease.
Co-promoters: Teiken and Ohashi Promotions.
(12-30-2014)