Aug. 7, 1998
TOKYO--Korakuen Hall--Slick-punching speedster JUNICHI ONO, 140, floored
ex-champ YOSHIHIRO KUWATA (previously fighting as Hiromu Kuwata), also
140, with a stunning right in the opening session, withstood his
retaliations in the 5th through 7th, and finally halted him at 2:02 of
the 8th round in a scheduled 10.
Ono, 21, raised his credentials to 15-1-2, 6 KOs. Kuwata, 32, formerly world rated, dropped to 23-5-2, 16 KOs.
Kuwata had lost his national 140-pound title in his 11th defense, being stopped by a hard-hitting lefty Hisao Arai in Oct., 1996. Ono failed to win the title from Arai in his first attempt in Osaka, losing a close verdict in Apr. of the previous year. But Ono decked his second crack at the title against Arai, winning a unanimous nod in Sendai this year.
In his first defense, Ono proved too fast and sharp for the ex-champ as he scored a knockdown with a smashing right in the first. Though Ono was in command in the first 4 rounds, Kuwata came out fighting and dominated three rounds from the 5th. Though the tide looked to have turned, Ono furiously attacked the veteran and had him rubbery-legged so badly that the third man declared a halt.
Ono had better improve his defensive skill in addition to gaining more
power.
Promoter: Shin Nihon Kimura Promotions.