Aug. 23
YOKOHAMA, JAPAN--Elongated Mexican CESAR BAZAN, 134 3/4, successfully
retained his WBC lightweight throne on a unanimous verdict over
free-swinging Japanese HIROYUKI SAKAMOTO, also 134 3/4, over 12 heats.
Scored: Tony Castellano (US) 117-111, Lou Filipo (US) 118-110, and Sergio Silvi (Italy) 118-111, all for the lanky champ who had dethroned Steve Johnston in El Paso, TX, last Jun.
Despite the nearly lopsided scores it wasn't an easy fight for Bazan. Sakamoto, 4 years his senior at 27, kept boring in with wild lefts and rights all the way. Though the Japanese was an aggressor all night, Bazan cleverly averted almost all his big shots and retaliated with more accurate and effective straight rights and uppercuts to the willing mixer.
Sakamoto landed a solid left uppercut to the belly of the champ in the 3rd. A judge gave this round to the Japanese bull, but the other two judges saw it differently by evaluating Bazan's accurate retaliations.
It was a hot war, but Bazan proved too smart for the Japanese bull-fighter as he grabbed him when he occasionally took Sakamoto's roundhouse shots. Bazan often caught the onrushing opponent with countering uppercuts to the breadbasket.
The game Japanese, from the 7th, started bleeding from a cut over the left optic, which obviously prevented him from stalking the taller champ. Even though he hadn't sustained that gash but had possessed his sound eyesight, it would have been a question whether he could catch the young but skillful hard-puncher, Bazan.
Sakamoto seemingly dominated the final session with his desperate attacks, as Bazan tried to avert mixing up to keep his huge accumulation on points, utilizing his footwork and grabbing him with his long arms.
Bazan improved his ledger to 33-2-1, 23 KOs. Sakamoto, who had failed to win the WBC belt on a split decision to Steve Johnston here in Jul. of the previous year, dropped to 30-3, 22 KOs. Their difference of skill accounted for this expected results. Referee was Richard Steele (US).
Promoter: Teiken Promotions in association with Top Rank.
WBC supervisor: Edward Thangarajah (Thailand).
(8-23-98)
TONY CASTELLANO (US)
| - | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | TOTAL |
| BAZAN | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 117 |
| SAKAMOTO | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 111 |
LOU FILIPO (US)
| - | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | TOTAL |
| BAZAN | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 118 |
| SAKAMOTO | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 110 |
SERGIO SILVI (ITALY)
| - | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | TOTAL |
| BAZAN | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 118 |
| SAKAMOTO | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 111 |
NON-SCORING REFEREE: RICHARD STEELE (US)