Jun 06, 1998
TOKYO--Korakuen Hall--Lefty lanky speedster SHIN YAMATO(right photo), 118, kept his
Japanese national bantam title as he completely outsped a game but
slower WATARU KAITO, 118, to win a nearly shutout decision over 10.
Yamato kept shooting southpaw jabs that prevented Kaito from coming
close to him all the way. The champ boosted his log to 13-1-3, 2 KOs.
Kaito dipped to 9-5-2, 4 KOs.
Yamato had captured the national title on a 7th-round technical decision over the then defending champ Jiro Matsushima last Jan. Yamato, making his first defense, proved too fast on hand and foot for the flat-footed opponent. Yamato, whose defect is a lack of convincing power, had the upper hand by making good use of his speed and kept moving away from the challenger. Kaito had previously upset ex-national champ Yasushi "Leo" Arai, but lost to ex-WBA light fly champ Keiji Yamaguchi on a TKO route in his previous bout. But their difference of speed was so obvious for Kaito to overcome. Yamato's future will depend on whether he will be able to gain his physical power to his skinny physique.
Unbeaten Mongolian import Isoodolin Batnasan, JBC #8 super-welter, 146 1/4, gave a sound lesson to less skillful but game Ryuichi Kuwana, 146 1/4, to win a unanimous decision (80-74, 79-75 and 78-76) over 8. Batnasan, handled by Akihiko Honda, is 4-0, 3 KOs. He is a well-educated ex-amateur boxer, though he lacks telling shots. Kuwana fell to 6-7-4, 3 KOs.
Fast rising hard-hitter Nobunao Otani, JBC #5 middle, 158 1/2,
repeatedly landed hard and accurate one-two combos to ex-national champ
Biney Martin, 158 3/4, and chalked up a fine TKO win at 0:41 of the 4th
session in a scheduled 8. Though Martin didn't hit the deck, he was so
groggy as to be logically stopped by the ref. It might be a 36-year-old
Japanese-based Ghanan's swan song. Previously Martin displayed his
trickiness and flexibility, but now lost the spring of his knees. Otani
may be a good opposition against the national champ Yoshinori Nishizawa,
if he gets more experienced.
Promoter: Teiken Promotions.