Jan. 26
TOKYO-Korakuen Hall-Light-punching but fleet-footed HIROSHI NAKAJIMA,
105, seized the vacant Japanese national mini-flyweight title as he
utilized his superior speed in outscoring rugged puncher HIROSHI
MATSUMOTO, 103 1/2, over 10.
Scored: 97-94, 100-93 and 99-93, all for Nakajima, who raised his mark to 12-1, just one KO. Suzuki, who had drawn with world-rated Satoru Abe in his previous bout in Nagoya, fell to 8-2-3, 3 KOs.
Nakajima proved too fast and sharp for the crouching stylist all night, piling up points steadily and easily. Nakajima's faster combinations often caught the slower opponent, though he lacked enough power to finish the lopsided affair.
JBC #6 ranked super-bantam KOICHI HORIE, 120 1/2, had a tough time with persistent body attacks of Filipino MARLON CASTANEDA, 122, but landed a solid right to drop him en route to a TKO win at 0:35 of the 7th in a scheduled 10.
Horie bettered his ledger to 12-2, 7 KOs. Castaneda reportedly impaired to 8-8-1, one KO.
Fast-improving MAKOTO SUZUKI, JBC #3 mini-fly contender, 105, showed his
strength in demolishing TSUYOSHI TANAKA, 105, at 0:38 of the 6th round
in a scheduled 8. Suzuki, 8-5-2, 4 KOs, showed his fine form in
dropping his rival twice in the 2nd and the fatal 6th. He is entitled
to have a mandatory shot at the newly crowned Japanese mini-fly champ
Nakajima. But Nakajima may participate in an OPBF elimination bout with
Carmero Caceres, Philippine champ, so the JBC will sanction an interim
Japanese mini-fly title go between Suzuki and Itsuo Oka to allow
Nakajima to fight for the vacant OPBF throne. It must be a flexible
procedure by the JBC.
Promoter: Watanabe Promotions.
(1-26-99)
Jan. 29
TOKYO-Korakuen Hall-JIRO NISHIYAMA, 125 3/4, scored a TKO victory over
TAKA BANDO, 125, at 1:10 of the 6th in a scheduled 8. The winner is
9-4-4, 3 KOs. The loser dipped to 7-5-2, 6 KOs.
Promoter: Kamitaki Promotions.
(1-29-99)
Jan. 30
YOKOHAMA-Yokohama Cultural Gymnasium-Local favorite KATSUSHIGE
KAWASHIMA(right photo), 117 1/2, was befuddled by the durability of Korean CHANGBOK
KIM, Korean #3 super-fly, 117 1/2, but outpunched him to earn a
unanimous decision (double 79-75 and 79-74) over 8.
Kawashima, handled by ex-WBA and WBC 105-pound champ Hideyuki Ohashi,
boosted his mark to 11-1, 7 KOs. This triumph will make him enter the
JBC's top ten. Kim dipped to 5-5, 3 KOs.
Promoter: Ohashi Promotions.
(1-30-99)
Jan. 31
NAGOYA-Nagoya International Conference Arena-The WBA #4 ranked mini-fly
contender SATOSRU ABE(right photo), a short lefty at 105, aimed at the breadbasket of
Filipino BEN ALBANES, 103 3/4, and sank him for the count at 1:20 of the
5th canto in a scheduled 10.
Abe, who had entered the WBA's top ten by beating Filipino Randy Mangubat, swept all the rounds prior to the trick happening. He bettered his credentials to 21-2-1, 8 KOs. Albanes reportedly fell to 8-6-2, 2 KOs.
JBC #1 ranked feather JUNICHI NAKAMURA(left photo), 125 3/4, engaged in a tune-up go
prior to his mandatory shot at the national champ Hideki Koshimoto, but
was held to a technical draw due to his bad gash by veteran TOMOAKI
IWASA, 126, at 1:18 of the 5th in a supporting 10.
Nakamura was saved by the technical draw, as Iwasa seemingly was ahead on points with his good right shots. The lefty Nakamura is 21-3-2, 16 KOs. Iwasa, who was previously KO'd by Luisito Espinosa in Nagoya in 1995, is 23-6-3, 16 KOs.
Former All Japan high school champ SHIN OGATA, 113 1/4, made a very fine pro debut by dropping KEISUKE SUZUKI, 111 3/4, twice to score an impressive KO win at 1:48 of the opening session of a scheduled 4.
JBC #7 ranked bantam KAZUO KURODA, 117 3/4, eked out a split decision
over KENJI SASAKI, 117 1/2, over 8. Kuroda is 11-2-2, 4 KOs. Sasaki
fell to 6-5-1, one KO.
Promoter: Matsuda Promotions.
(1-31-99)