December 31, 2014
TOKYO, JAPAN
Today, the very last day of the year, we will see a WBA world title tripleheader with our great expectations at Ota Ward General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan. Unbeaten WBA super-featherweight ruler Takashi Uchiyama (21-0-1, 17 KOs) will participate in his ninth defense against Israel Perez (27-2-1, 16 KOs) from Argentina over twelve rounds. WBA super-fly titlist Kohei Kono (30-8, 13 KOs), a Japanese veteran, will put his belt on the line against Norberto Jimenez (20-8-3, 10 KOs) from Dominican Republic in the second title go. The first title bout will see Peruvian Alberto Rossel (32-8-1NC, 13 KOs) defend his WBA light-fly belt against Ryoichi Taguchi (20-2-1, 8 KOs), a Japanese speedster taller by five inches, over twelve.
The weigh-in ceremony took place at U-Port Hotel in Tokyo yesterday, and the results were as follows:
Uchiyama 129.75
Perez 129.5
Kono 115
Jimenez 114.5
Rossel 108
Taguchi 108
The WBA officials are as follows:
Uchiyama vs. Perez
Referee Rafael Ramos (US); Judges Jose Roberto Torres (Puerto Rico), Jesus Cova (Venezuela), Gustavo Padilla (Panama)
Kono vs. Jimenez
Referee Rafael Ramos (US); Judges Gustavo Padilla (Panama), Michael Lee (Korea), Silvestre Abainza (Philippines)
Rossel vs. Taguchi
Referee Silvestre Abainza (Philippines); Judges Jose Roberto Torres (Puerto Rico), Michael Lee (Korea), Jesus Cova (Venezuela)
Supervisor for all the three title bouts: Gilberto Jesus Mendoza (Venezuela)
This deluxe show will be presented by Watanabe Promotions and broadcast nationwide through TV Tokyo with satellite telecast in Peru and Argentina.
(12-31-2014)