Oct.20
OSAKA, JAPAN--Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium #2--Crafty footworker and local favorite ATSUSHI TAMAKI, 128, scored an upset decision over Philippine featherweight champ JOE ESCRIBER, 128 1/2, over 10. Scored: double 99-97 and 97-95, all for Tamaki who kept utilizing his faster footwork to avert Escriber's power punching. There were no knockdowns, but Tamaki didn't give him a range with his shifty mobility. Escriber failed to throw plenty of punches only to lose on points.
In a supporting 10, hard-punching lefty veteran HIROAKI FUKUMOTO, 125, finished ISAO OHNO, 125 1/2, at 1:20 of the 3rd round.
Promoter: Shinko Promotions.
Oct. 19
TOKYO--The JBC #2 ranked junior bantam contender AKIRA TAIGA, who suffered a KO defeat in an elimination bout for the vacant Japanese national throne on Oct. 13, passed away due to brain hemmorhage at Jikei Medical University Hospital on this Oct. 19. Taiga, whose real name was Akira Sato, was a highly expected lefty prospect. He was winning in the first half of the bout with Yoshiaki Matsukura, who came back hard despite his bad bleeding to finish Taiga in the 7th.
Taiga was immediately hospitalized and received an urgent operation, but he eventually couldn't regain his consciousness. His overall record was 13-2-2, 5 KOs.
We have had 31 ring victims in the history of boxing here in Japan.
Oct. 19
KURUME, JAPAN--TOMOHITO HIGASHISHIMA, 111 3/4, scored a KO victory over Filipino NURTON PANPAY, 112, at 0:31 of the 2nd in a scheduled 10. The unbeaten local prospect is 7-0, 6 KOs.
Oct. 17
TOKYO--Lefty KAZUHIRO RYUKO, 113 3/4, dispalyed his superior speed in winning a unanimous decision (double 99-94 and 98-94) over KATSUHIRO AKITA, 113, over 10. It's ex-amateur star Ryuko's first appearance since he failed to win the Japanese national throne on a decision to Nolito "Suzuki" Cabato, a Japanese-based Filipino campaigner. Ryuko is 6-1 with no KO, which may indicate his lack of convincing power. He has an ambition to be a professional singer, but he had better concentrate on the Sweet Science for a while.
In a semi-final 10, southpaw JUN TORIUMI, 122, chalked up a TKO victory over KENJI UEDA, 122, at 2:45 of the 5th.
Promoter: Watanabe Promotions.
Oct. 14
OSAKA, JAPAN--Fast-moving MORIYASU TOKUYAMA, 112, outscored KATSUHIKO YOSHIUMI, 111 1/2, over 10. Former amateur star RYOJI NAGAI, 114 1/4, lost an upset decision to JOJI NOBEYAMA, 114 1/2, over 6.
Oct. 13
TOKYO--Hard-hitting lefty YOSHIAKI MATSUKURA, 115, acquired the vacant Japanese junior bantam title, as he sustained a nasty gash at the right eyebrow in the 2nd, struggled to cope with a fast-footed southpaw AKIRA TAIGA, 115, but finally wore him down with a couple of knockdowns en route to a come-from-behind KO at 2:25 of the 7th round in a scheduled 10 at Korakuen Hall. Mastukura, a stiff and less skillful southpaw, displayed his power punching and will power as well, and extended his KO streak to 11, improving his mark to 17-2, 15 KOs. 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 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 seriously high and risky, so he will have to stay at hospital.
JBC (Japan Boxing Commission) #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 very bad gash over the right optic caused by an accidental butt. Morooka, a sturdy puncher, is 15-5-3, 6 KOs. Tanaka is 9-3-1, 6 KOs.
Japan-based Hawaiian ANDREI BUNTA, 135, stunned the crowd with his very 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 10-2-5, 6 KOs. he used to be stiff and slow despite his physical power, but we saw his probably very best win over the lantern jawed opponent who fell to 8-3-2, 2 KOs.