August 1, 2015
TOKYO, JAPAN
Speedy and skillful, WBC#3/WBA#10/IBF#3/WBO#6 light-flyweight Yu Kimura (17-2-1, 3 KOs), 109, impressively defeated Mexican Jesus Faro (13-10, 8 KOs), 107.75, by a shutout decision (100-90 twice and 100-91) over ten fast rounds on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. Kimura, 31 and former national amateur champ, fully displayed his hit-and-run tactics to frustrate the game but limited Mexican all the way, and had him in trouble in round seven. Kimura’s last defeat was inflicted by current WBA 108-pound ruler Ryoichi Taguchi in October 2011, and the speedster acquired the vacant national belt to retain it three times prior to his recent relinquishment in order to prepare for a world title shot.
JBC#2 super-welter Yuto Shimizu (10-2-2, 3 KOs), 153, earned a unanimous nod (78-75 and 79-74 twice) over JBC#3 Yosuke Kirima (21-5-2, 14 KOs), 153.5, over eight. Shimizu took the initiative with an opening attack in the first two sessions, while Kirima cautiously covered him up and then started his engine from the third. But Shimizu’s engine was already warmer and he maintained the pressure to the more experienced but still defensive Kirima, who dominated the seventh but failed to overcome his early deficits on points.
Promoter: Teiken Promotions.
(8-1-2015)
This year’s Hall of Famer, ex-WBA junior flyweight champ with thirteen successful defenses to his credit, Yoko Gushiken and his hard-punching pupil Daigo Higa, 19, made a hero’s return from Thailand after Higa (7-0, 7 KOs) acquired the vacant WBC youth flyweight belt by dispatching a previously unbeaten Thailander Kongfah CP Freshmart (14-1, 8 KOs) in the seventh round in Bangkok on July 24. Gushiken captured the WBA throne in his ninth pro bout when he demolished Juan Guzman of Dominican Republic in 1976, and expresses his wish, saying, “Like me, I hope Higa, also from Okinawa, will try to be a world champ in his ninth outing.” Gushiken seems as optimistic as when he himself was a titleholder.
(8-2-2015)