Nov. 09
TOKYO, JAPAN--Korakuen Hall--Elongated speedster TAKEO IMAOKA(right photo), 126,
retained his OPBF feather throne, as he dropped compatriot TOSHIHARU
SAOTOME, 126, with a smashing right in the third round just after the
champ sustained a big gash caused by an accidental butt, but was unable
to go on, so he was awarded a technical decision after the 5th round in
a scheduled 12.
Scored: referee Asao 49-45, judges Morita and Abe 49-47 and 49-45 respectively, all for Imaoka, 22-3, 11 KOs.
The WBC #6 ranked Imaoka registered his 3rd defense since he dethroned Filipino Samuel Duran on a decision, dropping him midway in the bout last Nov. He previously kept it against Atsushi Tamaki (KO1) and Samuel Duran (W12).
Imaoka should have win more easily, but he began to display his castigated hit-and-grab tactics after sustaining a cut. It was Saotome that took the 5th session with his aggressive rallies, as Imaoka kept retreating to avoid his gash getting hit to cause further bleeding. But the JBC physician examined the cut during the recess after the 5th, and advised the referee to call a halt.
Saotome, who previously scored an upset KO win over Kazu Arisawa (Koji Arisawa's twin brother) here, fell to 15-7-1, 6 KOs.
Unbeaten KOKI TANAKA, JBC #3 ranked light fly, 107 1/2, was awarded a controversial but unanimous verdict over MASANORI SUGA, 107 1/2, over 10.
The much taller Tanaka, now 7-0-3, 3 KOs, tried to outpunch the shorter peek-a-boo stylist, who kept boring in to score solid right hooks to the cheek of the prefight favorite.
Scored: double 97-96 and 98-96, all for Tanaka. This reporter saw it
96-95 for Suga, formerly an amateur boxer, 3-3-1, 2 KOs. Suga was a
much better boxer than his credentials indicated.
C-promoters: Saida and Hachioji Nakaya Promotions.
(11-9-98)