JESUS "KIKI" ROJAS, the newly crowned WBA super-flyweight champ, decided to put his title on the line in his first defense against Japan's HIDEKI TODAKA, 14-2, 7 KOs, in Miyazaki, Japan, on Mar. 28. The Venezuelan Rojas, 35 on this coming Jan. 31, dethroned Japanese lefty Satoshi Iida on a unanimous nod in Nagoya on Dec. 23. He then displayed his ringcraft to outhustle the champ who unfortunately had his right shoulder dislocated midway in the fight. Todaka, a stablemate of ex-champ Iida, previously won the Japanese national light fly title by outscoring Kenzo Ando in Jun., 1996, and kept it once prior to outgrowing the 108-pound division. Todaka, a game puncher, lately defeated world-rated Yongsoon Chang, Korea, on an undercard of Rojas' title-winning bout last Dec. Rojas, 32-7-2-1NC, 16 KOs, may be a bit too ringwise for Todaka, who will have just a puncher's chance due to their difference of the ring skills.
TAKANORI HATAKEYAMA, the WBA super-feather champ, will engage in his first defense against Mexican SAUL DURAN, 27-3, 22 KOs, at Ariake Coliseum, Tokyo, on Feb. 13. The unbeaten Japanese, 22-0-1, 17 KOs, captured the WBA crown on a hard-fought decision over Korean Yongsoo Choi here last Sept. Hatakeyama, 23, is a busy-punching footworker, who is favored to beat Duran. But Duran is a more experienced boy, having been beaten by Steve Johnston in a bid for the WBC light throne last Sept. It will be a good test whether Hatakeyama will show his real power to keep the sole world championship in Japan.
PICHIT CHOR SIRIWAT, the WBA light flyweight champ, will risk his title against #1 contender JOMA GAMBOA, a hard-hitting Filipino, in Samui, Thailand, on Feb. 20. Pichit, a lefty slick-punching speedster, wrested the WBA title on an upset 2nd-round stoppage of Japan's Keiji Yamaguchi in Osaka in Dec., 1996. Since then, Pichit kept it 3 times, beating Sangchul Lee (W12), #1 ranked compatriot Hadao CP Gym (W12) and Taekil Lee (TKO8). Gamboa, 25-3-1, 19 KOs, is a one-punch finisher, having scored 7 first-round KOs. Gamboa previously failed to win the WBC throne as he caught Thailander Saman Sorjaturong with solid shots but sank with the champ's furious retaliations in 7 rounds in 1996. Gamboa went to Venezuela to dismantle ex-world champ Carlos Murillo with a single right hand to win the Fedelatin title in Caracas, Venezuela, in Sept., 1997. It will be a very interesting bout with the fleet-footed footworker and the hard-hitter.
HIROKI IOKA, 2-time ex-world champ, 30, announced his farewell to the ring on Jan. 20. Ioka, formerly WBC 105-pound and WBA 108-pound champ, attempted to win his third title to become the first Asian boxer to win 3 titles in as many classes, but in vain. Ioka failed to capture the 112-pound title, losing to David Griman by an 8th-round TKO, to Saen Sor Ploenchit by a 10th-round TKO and to Jose Bonilla by a 7th-round TKO. He made his final attempt to win the WBA 115-pound crown only to be outscored by compatriot Satoshi Iida last Apr. Ioka wanted to continue his pursuit for the 3rd title, but lately suffered an unexpected 5rh-round TKO defeat by unranked ex-sparring partner Masamori Tokuyama last Dec. Ioka, whose overall record was 33-8-1, 17 KOs, hopes to establish his own gym to cultivate young boys in the near future. His biggest triumph was an upset decision over previously unbeaten Myungwoo Yuh in his 18th defense in Osaka in 1992.
INJOO CHO, WBC super-fly champ, will make his 2nd defense in Korea in May, as he barely kept his title on a majority decision over Mexican Joel Luna Zarate in Seoul on Jan. 10. Cho, 14-0, 6 KOs, dropped his stock due to his lacklaster performance, so he wishes to display a better fight to restore his reputation in his next defense.
SAMAN SORJATURONG, the WBC 108-pound champ, registered his 10th defense by barely outscoring Mexican Ladislao Vazquez in Thailand on Nov. 26. Saman, 29, is slated to accept the challenge of the unbeaten WBC & WBA 105-pound champ Ricardo Lopez, Mexico, who already scored 22 defenses including a 2nd-round KO win over Sorjaturong in 1993, in Mar. Though the Thailander improved a lot since his annihilation by Lopez, the Mexican will be favored to win his 2nd world throne by showing his flawless skill and hard-hitting ability.
MANNY PACQUIAO, the newly crowned WBC fly champ of the Philippines, will face #1 contender Gabriel Mira, Mexico, in his first defense in Mar. or Apr. There was a negotiation of Japan's Keiji Yamaguchi fighting Pacquiao for the title in Osaka, but it went to a naught. Pacquiao, 23-1, 14 KOs, is a hard-punching lefty who iced defending champ Chatchai Dutchboygym with a single left in the 8th round in Thailand on Dec. 4. Pacquiao, 19, has a weight problem due to his big physique as a 112-pounder, but if he properly makes his weight, he may demolish the light-punching Mexican, Mira. Problem is whether they will be able to promote it in the Philippines under the heavy recession.
JOICHIRO TATSUYOSHI, ex-WBC bantam champ, successfully underwent an optical surgery in Osaka on Jan. 13. Tatsuyoshi, the most popular Japanese ringman, lost his title on an upset 6th-round TKO by Veerapol Nakornluang-Promotion in Osaka on Dec. 29. Despite some rumor of his retirement, Tatsuyoshi, 29, denied it and confirmed that he would revenge his defeat and win back the title upon his recovery.