NAGASHIMA WRESTS OPBF SUPER-FEATHER TITLE BY UPSET DECISION OVER MITANI

OPBF SUPER-FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE BOUT
KENGO NAGASHIMA W12 YAMATO MITANI

Jun 08, 1998
TOKYO--Korakuen Hall--Unheralded and underrated KENGO NAGASHIMA(right photo), 130, convincingly swept the last 4 rounds with his superior physical power and determination in dethroning the defending OPBF super-feather champ YAMATO MITANI(left photo), 129 3/4, by a unanimous decision over 12 lousy rounds. Scored: referee Nobuaki Uratani 116-112, judges Ukrid Sarasas and Masakazu Uchida both 117-112, all for the new titlist. Nagashima, the son of ex-Japanese challenger Kiyoshi Nagashima, bettered his ledger to 11-1-1, 8 KOs. Mitani, who had a couple of shots at the WBA world throne against Korean Yongsoo Choi despite his losing efforts, fell to 12-4, 9 KOs.

Mitani was a prefight favorite in an encounter of lefties due to his experiences with name opponents. Nagashima was regarded just as an upcoming novice, though rated just #2 by the JBC and #6 by the OPBF. Mitani started well with his faster southpaw jabs. As Mitani suffered a gash at the right optic in the 3rd, his always doubted fighting spirit began to fade. Nagashima, 5 years his junior at 22, turned aggressive to dominate the 4th and 5th.

Mitani, formerly 5-time amateur champ, connected with occasional southpaw right hooks to the onrushing youngster, being in command in the 6th and 7th. But he commenced revealing his badly castigated tendency of clinching his opponent, as the contest progressed.

From the 9th round on, Mitani's fighting heart was not seen and his energy was utilized in grabbing the aggressive foe. Nagashima kept positive and aggressive, stalking the fading champ from pillar to post. The 10th saw Nagashima land a big left cross to the champ and had him on the verge of hitting the deck. Furthermore, referee Uratani finally gave up his tolerance and penalized a point from the champ for holding too repeatedly. Despite his talented speed and physique, Mitani couldn't utilize his assets only to be dethroned by a newcomer.

Undercards:

Unbeaten Toshiharu Kanayama, JBC #5 super-welter, 160, was awarded a TKO win over stout-built Yasuhide Tarui, 160, due to the latter's bad cut at 1:07 of the 5th in a semi-final 10. Kanayama, a taller ex-amateur boy, is 4-0, 3 KOs. Tarui, piloted by ex-WBA junior middle (or super-welter) champ, fell to 6-3-2, 6 KOs.
Promoter: Misako Promotions.
(6-8-98)

YUYA MATOBA KO6 JULIE TAGALOG

June 7
KAGOSHIMA--Kagoshima Prefectural Gymnasium--Local favorite Yuya Matoba, 111 3/4, fought a see-saw battle with Filipino Julie Tagalog, 112, before the former sank the latter with a wicked body shot following a one-two combo at 2:38 of the 6th canto in a scheduled 10. Matoba upped his mark to 8-3-1, 4 KOs. Tagalog reportedly impaired to 8-5-4, 3 KOs.
(6-7-98)

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