Oct.13
TOKYO--Hard-hitting lefty YOSHIAKI MATSUKURA, 115, acquired the vacant Japanese junior bantam title, as he sustained a bad gash at the right eyebrow in the 2nd, struggled to cope with a fast-footed AKIRA TAIGA, 115, and finally wore him down with a couple of knockdowns en route to a come-from-bihind KO at 2:25 of the 7th round in a scheduled 10 at Korakuen Hall. Matsukura, a stiff and less skillful southpaw, displayed his power punching and extended his KO streak to 11, and improved his mark to 17-2, 15KOs. After dropping him with a flurry of punches, the gory Matsukura landed a wicked left cross to the head of his rival and sank him prone. Taiga, a sharper lefty, dominated the first two rounds with his stinging southpaw jabs, but he showed his fatigue as the contest progressed. The loser, 13-2-2, 5 KOs, was carried out of the ring on a stretcher and was hospitalized immediately. His brain pressure is reportedly high and risky, so he will have to stay at hospital.
JBC #1 ranked lightie MASAAKI MOROOKA, 134 1/2, was held to a technical draw by KOKICHI TANAKA, 135, at 1:08 of the 2nd in a semi-final 10, as the former suffered a nasty cut on the right optic caused by an accidental butt. MOROOKA is 15-5-3, 6 KOs. TANAKA is 9-3-1, 6 KOs.
Japan-based Hawaiian ANDREI BUNTA, 135, stunned the crowd with his quick demolition of TATSUHISA KAWASHIMA, 135, at 0:45 of the opening session in a scheduled 8. Andrei, supported by Japanese actor BUNTA SUGAWARA, is 10-1-5, 6 KOs. He used to be stiff and slow despite his physical power, but we saw his probably best win over the lantern jawed opponent who fell to 8-3-2, 2 KOs.
Oct.14
OSAkA--Fast mooving MORIYASU TOKUYAMA, 112, outscored KATSUHIKO YOSHIUMI, 111 1/2 over 10. Former amateur star RYOJI NAGAI, 114 1/4, lost an upset nod to JOJI NOBEYAMA, 114 1/2, over 6.