January 9, 1999
TOKYO-Korakuen Hall-The WBC #10 ranked lightie HIROYUKI SAKAMOTO(right photo), 139
3/4, proved too powerful for the Philippine welter boss BERT BADO, 140
1/2, as he exploded a wicked left hook and made him so groggy and
helpless as to prompt referee Ken Morita's well-timed halt at 1:15 of
the 3rd round in a scheduled 10.
Sakamoto had failed to win the WBC 135-pound crown, losing to Steve Johnston and Cesar Bazan-both on points-in 1997 and 1998, respectively. The Japanese swinger is unmatched in Japan-except his previous victim but willing opponent Rick Roberts Yoshimura, Japanese national champ who kept his title 16 times. But Sakamoto's lack of finesse may prevent him from acquiring the world throne, if he improves technically.
Sakamoto, 28, bettered his credentials to 31-3, 22 KOs. Bado, 30, reportedly dropped to 8-5-3, 5 KOs. It was a rather easy triumph for Sakamoto.
Lefty ATSUSHI HAGIWARA, JBC #2 ranked feather, 125 1/2, earned a close
but unanimous decision (98-95, 97-96 and 97-95) over POWERFUL HONMO
(whose real name is Nobuto Honmo), 125 1/2, over 10. Hagiwara, who had
failed to win the national title by a close decision to Takashi
Koshimoto in the previous year, struggled to take the initiative from
the underestimated opponent. The winner is 21-4, 10 KOs. The loser
dropped to 9-3-1, 3 KOs.
Promoter: Kadoebi Jewel Promotion.
(1-9-99)
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January 11, 1999
The hard-hitting lefty, on his comeback trail after forfeiting his title to Akihiko Nago via a spectacular 9th-round KO last Mar., found it easy to catch the game but slow foe. Matsukura is 19-3, 16 KOs. Sales reportedly fell to 17-16-6, 9 KOs. |
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In the semi-final, TOSHIHARU SAOTOME(left photo), JBC #6 ranked feather, 125 1/4, floored shorter Filipino JOEL JUNIO, 123 1/4, with a solid left hook in the 3rd, dominated the bout and earned a unanimous decision (97-95, 98-92 and 97-94) though he hit the deck with Junio's last surge in the 10th and final session. Saotome, whose previous attempt to win the OPBF feather crown from compatriot Takeo Imaoka resulted in an unsuccessful effort, bettered his ledger to 16-7-1, 6 KOs. Junio reportedly dropped to 20-15-2, 10 KOs. |
| In the first 10, upcoming HIDEKAZU MATSUNOBU(right photo), 128, chalked up a TKO win
over the GAB #5 ranked super-feather GIL LIPATA, 128, Philippines, at
1:34 of the 3rd. Matsunobu is 13-2, 10 KOs. Lipata is reportedly
15-12, 10 KOs.
Promoter: Miyata Promotions. (1-11-99) |
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January 18, 1999
TOKYO-Korakuen Hall-The JBC #2 ranked super-feather NOBUTOSHI HIRANAKA,
130, scored a shutout decision over a durable Filipino JOEL GONZALES,
the GAB #3 contender, 129 1/2, over 10.
The lefty Hiranaka previously failed to win the WBA and the WBC feather thrones, losing to Eloy Rojas and to Luisito Espinosa, and also failed to capture the OPBF super-feather title on a 12-round decision twice to Yamato Mitani last Mar. and to Kengo Nagashima last Oct. This was a tune-up fight for Hiranaka prior to his shot at the national title against Koji Arisawa on Mar. 8.
It may sound strange that Hiranaka, a declining but hard-hitting crowd-pleaser, has been given opportunities to fight for the titles, receiving such offers from the champs' parties. Hiranaka upped his mark to 18-4-1, 11 KOs.
In a supporting 10, fast-rising OSAMU SATO, JBC #5 super-bantam, 121
1/4, decked an upset triumph in stopping ex-national champ YASUSHI ARAI,
121 1/4, at 1:47 of the 7th round. Sato, a busy-punching prospect, is
12-1-1, 4 KOs. Arai, who couldn't stop his losing run, fell to 23-10-2,
12 KOs.
Promoter: Kyoei Promotion.
(1-18-99)
January 20, 1999
TOKYO-Korakuen Hall-Light-punching footworker HIROKI SHINOZAKI, JBC #7
ranked light-fly, 111 1/2, outscored Filipino RICO MACAUBOS, 112, over
10.
Shinozaki, formerly belonging to Koei Kogyo Odawara Gym, was traded by
Yonekura Gym, under which he fought twice last year-losing a close
decision to Kazuhiro Ryuko in Jul. but stopping Filipino Ricky Sales in
the 5th in Sept.
Promoter: Yonekura Promotions.
(1-20-99)
January 24, 1999
KOBE-Sambo Hall-Upcoming local prospect CHOLHO SENRIMA(right photo), previously
fighting as Cholho Kang, 126, weathered the storm of the WBC #17 ranked
bantam ROONGSURIN LOOKONGCHAN, 126, Thailand, and fought back hard,
dropped the Thailander with a solid left hook in the 9th, and pounded
out an upset decision over 10.
(Senrima's ring-name is written as Chulu-Ho Senrima in the JBC
ratings-in Engliash-but the collect spelling of this Korean living in
Japan should be Chul-Ho or Chulho.)
Scored: referee Uenaka 98-96, judges Miyazaki and Matsumoto 97-94 and 98-93, respectively, all for Senrima, the JBC #4 ranked super-bantam, who raised his ledger to 15-3-3, 8 KOs. Roongsurin reportedly fell to 24-3, 16 KOs.
Roongsurin dominated the first 4 rounds to show his accurate punching.
But Senrima went to aim at the Thailander's breadbasket, and the tide
began to turn. Senrima was in command in the last 3 rounds, having the
fading foe at bay. But it was a closer fight than the official tallies.
AKIRA EBISUOKA(left photo), another local favorite, 123 1/2, scored a rather easy TKO win over Thai veteran CHUCHERD EAUSAMPAN, 123 1/2, at 2:55 of the 3rd in a semi-final 10. Ebisuoka, a game puncher, is 18-5, 4 KOs. Chucherd reportedly dipped to 28-10-2, 19 KOs. (This reporter supposes that Chucherd lost more than 10 times, but his record was reported, as written above.)
ZAIKI TAKEMOTO, 126, landed a vicious straight right and sank Thailand's
JACK SINGMANASSUK, 123 1/4, at 2:47 of the 4th in a scheduled 6.
Promoter: Senrima Promotions.
(1-24-99)