Nov. 16
TOKYO, JAPAN--Korakuen Hall--Elongated Japan-based US military worker
RICK "YOSHIMURA" ROBERTS, 134 1/2, kept his Japanese national title in
his 16th defense, as he was forced to engage in a rough-and-tumble bout
with a very unorthodox lefty named NORITO KIMURA, 135, but pounded out a
nearly shutout decision over 10.
Scored: Morita 100-93, Tezaki 99-93, and Kanaya 99-95. Masakazu Uchida was the non-scoring referee. Rick, 33, raised his mark to 33-5, 19 KOs, including his two defeats in as many bouts in New York. Kimura, a very awkward and disappointing challenger, fell to 12-2, 3 KOs despite his last upset victory over Masataka Yoshioka.
Upcoming OSAMU SATO, an unranked prospect, 121 3/4, surprisingly caught JBC #2 ranked 122-pounder TATSUYA TOJO, at the limit, with a flurry of punches to prompt the referee Kazunobu Asao to intervene at 2:14 of the 7th in a semi-final 10.
Sato, now 11-1, 4 KOs, made good use of his left hand. Tojo, a prefight favorite, looked too tense and stiff to handle the less powerful but faster opponent, and dropped to 14-4-2, 8 KOs.
RYUJI MURAMATSU, JBC #2 ranked light fly, 111, floored game and durable WATARU YAMAJI, 111, with a countering right in the 6th, withstood his furious retaliations and earned a close but unanimous decision (double 77-75 and 77-76) over 8.
Muramatsu, who had failed to win the Japanese light fly title by a
decision twice to WBA #5 ranked Hidenobu Honda, will meet him for the
3rd time in the Carnival of Champions early next year. The winner is
17-4, 9 KOs. The good loser fell to 10-5-2, 7 KOs.
Co-promoters: Kyoei and Ishikawa Promotions.
(11-16-98)