Nov. 24, 1998
TOKYO-Korakuen Hall-Less experienced underdog NOBUNAO OHTANI(right photo), 158 3/4,
dominated the first half with accurate left-right combinations,
withstood the last surge of the defending champ YOSHINORI NISHIZAWA(left photo),
160, and earned a split decision to capture the Japanese national
middleweight title over 10.
Scored: judges Date 98-96 and Asao 97-95, both for Ohtani, and Uchida 97-96 for Nishizawa. Nobuaki Uratani was the non-scoring referee.
It was a close affair. Ohtani took the initiative with his favorite
one-two combinations to the sluggish champ in earlier rounds. The
30-year-old challenger had the upper hand in the 5th and 6th.
Nishizawa, making his 4th defense, began to retaliate with busy but less
accurate combinations from the 7th round on. The champ was in command
in the last two rounds.
Ohtani's more effective straight rights might be evaluated by the two judges, though some ringsideres thought it a draw. Ohtani, JBC #2 contender, won the national title in his first shot at the throne, and raised his mark to 13-2, 10 KOs. But Ohtani, handled by Akihiko Honda, still looked stiff and tense due to his late start in the Sweet Science. Nishizawa, 32, fell to 15-11-4, 9 KOs.
JBC #1 ranked middle contender NAOTAKA HOZUMI, 159 1/2, dominated almost all rounds and pounded out a lopsided decision over Indonesian champ NICO TORIRI, 158 3/4, over 10.
Despite the onesided scores, it wasn't a very easy fight for Hozumi, who was superior in speed, power and physique. Toriri, a 32-year-old veteran, sometimes fought back with sporadic one-two combos, though he was on the defensive all the way.
Scored: double 99-94 and 100-93. Hozumi, 11-1-1, 9 KOs, is scheduled to have a mandatory shot at the new champ Ohtani in the Carnival of Champions (where all the national champs must defend their titles against the top contenders) next year. Toriri reportedly fell to 24-10-2, 5 KOs.
JBC #1 ranked super welter TOSHIHARU KANEYAMA, 153 3/4, extended his unbeaten mark to 5-0, 4 KOs, as he battered Indonesian THOMSON TASLI, 153 1/2, to the punch and halted him at 2:09 of the third round in the first 10.
Tasli, former Indonesian super welter champ, was just a disappointment,
as he covered himself up like a shell from the start only to be a human
dummy for the upcoming Japanese youngster. The fight followed the same
pattern, and Keneyama finally pinned him to the corner with a barrage of
punches to prompt the referee to intervene. Tasli seldom thew punches
to retaliate against him. The loser reprotedly dipped to 16-5-4, 6 KOs.
Promoter: Yokenkura Promotions.
(11-24-98)