Jun 03, 1998
TOKYO--Korakuen Hall--Formerly world-rated ex-Japanese national bantam
champ SETSUO KAWAMASU(right photo), 122, appeared after a 21-month inactivity owing
to an auto accident, and looked impressive in dropping Korean JINHO LEE,
KBC #7 ranked super-bantam, 122, twice en route to a fine TKO win at
1:21 of the 3rd session in a scheduled 10. Kawamasu is 11-0, 6 KOs.
Kawamasu, whose real name is Setsuo Segawa, was formerly an excellent amateur star and an Olympian. After entering the paid ranks, he remained unbeaten and wrested the national 118-pound title from Great Kanayama (AKA Dongchun Lee) via a very controversial decision in Feb., 1995. They faced in a grudge fight with ex-champ Kanayama, the Japanese-based Korean, passing away due to a brain hemorrhage caused by the rematch (Kawamasu's second defense). He suffered an auto accident thereafter, and kept fighting to defend his title twice more (5 times in total). But he wasn't what he used to be. Kawamasu made up his mind to concentrate on his treatment by renouncing the national title.
Kawamasu floored Lee with a beautiful straight right in the opening session. The Korean was wild enough to miss the target repeatedly. Kawamasu covered himself up and landed solid and accurate shots to hurt him effectively. In the fatal 3rd, Kawamasu cornered him with a flurry of punches and sent him crashing to the deck, when the towel was tossed in to prompt the referee's intervention.
JBC #3 ranked light fly Kimihiko Ide, 108, dropped lefty Kenya Orihara, 107 1/2, 3 times prior to a well-timed stoppage at 1:35 of the 3rd in a semi-final 10. Ide, 11-3-5, 4 KOs, sent him with the deck with the same punch, a straight right to the button, in the first and second sessions. The loser fell to 7-6-3, 1 KO.
Ex-amateur All Japan high school champ Arashi Yanagawa, 113 3/4, a lanky
speedster, pounded out a unanimous decision over game and durable
Tetsuya Kawakami, 113 3/4, over 6. Scored: 60-55, 59-56 and 60-57. For
Yanagawa, 6-0, 2 KOs, it wasn't so easy a fight as expected. Kawakami
refused to go down despite his absorption of much punishment, and won
the praise of the crowd. Kawakami dropped to 5-3, 3 KOs. Yanagawa is
managed by ex-WBA light fly champ Yoko Gushiken.
Promoter: Yonekura Promotions.