Mar. 24, 1998
TOKYO--Korakuen Hall--National middle champ YOSHINORI NISHIZAWA(right photo),
displayed his much superior stamina, kept aggressive and endured
occasional solid rallies of JBC #1 contender ATSUSHI SASAWAKI(left photo), 159, to
retain his title on a unanimous decision over 10. Scored--Kanaya 98-95,
Kumazaki 99-93 and Date 99-96, all for Nishizawa, 15-9-4, 9 KOs, who
thus registered his 3rd defense since he acquired the vacant title by
stopping Kenichi Tsukamoto in the 5th on Jan. 28 of the previous year.
Sasawaki fell to 12-3-2, 7 KOs.
The elongated 6-footer Nishizawa was an aggressor all the way, though Sasawaki, a very muscular peek-a-boo stylist, blocked almost all of his incessant combinations. Sasawaki, just 5'7", occasionally landed sporadic right crosses to shake up the champ, but he was obviously less active and less aggressive. It was amazing that Nishizawa kept attacking from the start to the end with such a high pace. Sasawaki had several failures in gaining the national titles, losing the then Japanese jr. welter champ Viacheslav Ianovski in 1991, fighting to a draw with Hiromu Kuwata in a bid for the same national 140-pound title in 1993 and being defeated by Japanese jr. middle ruler Akira Ohigashi in the previous year.
In a semi-final, veteran comebacker Jiro Aoyama, 159 1/2, survived a shaky start in the first round, utilized his persistent jabs and defeated hard-hitting Kenji Tamaoki, JBC #3 ranked 160-pounder, at the limit, by a unanimous decision (99-94, 97-96 and 99-96) over 10. Aoyama is 15-6-1, 4 KOs. The uspet loser Tamaoki dropped to 7-3, 6 KOs.
Aoyama, tricky and flexible, was regarded as a probably safe victim, but
he showed his determination in outpunching the younger but green
opponent. Aoyama had failed to win the Japanese title 4 times and the
OPBF jr. middle throne once in Korea. The shaven skulled veteran had
often announced his retirement and made a comeback--a la Sugar Ray
Leonard. But he will be ranked again by the JBC thanks to this upset
vicotry, and there may be an opportunity for Aoyama to attempt to win
the national title for the 5th time soon.
Promoter: Yonekura Promotions.
(3-24-98)
Mar. 23
TOKYO--Korakuen Hall--JBC #8 jr. feather, lefty Jun Toriumi, 122, scored
with southpaw lefts to the belly, winning a unanimous nod (78-77, 78-76
and 78-74) over Ken Katagiri, 122, over 8. Toriumi had him at bay in
the 3rd and 7th, but Katagiri refused to go down. Toriumi extended his
unbeaten mark to 6-0-1, a KO, but he needs gaining more power to compete
with top notchers. Katagiri impaired to 5-5-2, no KO.
Also unbeaten Hiroshui Nakajima, JBC #6 straw, 105, scored a shutout
decision (double 80-74 and 80-75) over Kazuhiko Kato, 104 3/4, over 8.
Nakajima made him quite groggy with a countering right in the 6th, but
failed to follow up and finish his opponent chiefly due to his lack of
convincing power. Nakajima is 10-0, just a KO. Kato is 7-2, 5 KOs.
Promoter: Watanabe Promotions.
(3-23-98)
Mar. 27
TOKYO--Korakuen Hall--Busy-punching Takuya Kiya(right photo), JBC #6 jr. bantam, 115,
remained aggressive, dropped Naohiro Yanagi, 114 3/4, with a vicious
overhand right in the 4th and won a nearly lopsided decision (80-72,
79-72 and 78-75) over 8. Kiya truly overpowered Yanagi, a legitimate
flyweight, but sometimes absorbed the latter's retaliations. Kiya was
an aggressor all night and won an easy triumph. Kiya is 10-1-1, 6 KOs.
Yanagi is 7-5, 4 KOs.
Shinya Kiuchi(left photo), JBC #8 feather, 128, earned a majority duke (78-77, 79-78 and 77-77) over Hiroshi Mizushima, JBC #6 junior lightie, 128, over 8. The victor is 12-4-1, 5 KOs. the loser is 12-2-3, 7 KOs.
Fast-rising Choluho Kim, a Korean-Japanese born and living in Kobe, JBC #6 bantam, 126, badly floored Hiroaki Yamaguchi, 126, in the opening session, and stopped him at 1:27 of the 3rd round in a scheduled 8. Kang is 13-3-3, 7 KOs. Yamaguchi is 10-5, 6 KOs.
Remarks: The name of Choluho Kim is a really Korean name. In the
Korean pronounciation, he should be spelled Chulho Kim, but this
reporter follows the spelling of the JBC ratings.
Promoter: Kaneko Promotions.
(3-27-98)