May 9, 2015
KOBE, JAPAN
Formerly two-time world champ, Japanese southpaw Hozumi Hasegawa (34-5, 15 KOs), 125.75, proved too fast and ringwise for previously unbeaten WCB#9 super-bantam Horacio Garcia (29-1, 21 KOs), 125.5, from Mexico, winning a unanimous decision (97-93, 98-93 and 100-91) over ten Tom-and-Jerry rounds on Saturday in Kobe, Japan. Having suffered a seemingly career-ending stoppage by Spaniard Kiko Martinez in a quest of the IBF 122-pound throne in April of the previous year, Hasegawa, ex-WBC bantam and feather titlist, might have hung up gloves for good then and there, but he gallantly returned to ring warfare against peoplefs expectations for his second life after a retirement.
The crafty ex-champ displayed all he had through his ten WBC 118-pound defenses, outmaneuvering the tough, durable and hard-hitting prospect under Canelo Promotions. Garcia attempted to catch the Japanese veteran, who, however, displayed his speed, skills and smartness in continually whipping the 24-year-old Mexican, ten years his junior, almost at will, steadily piling up points. The referee penalized a point from Garcia for having frequently stepped on the southpaw champfs foot midway in round four. In the last three rounds Hasegawa looked tired, but the ex-champ showed his determination and durability to last the tenth and emerge victorious after his admirably tough effort.
Promoter: Shinsei Promotions.
(5-9-2015)