Mar. 6, 1999
TOKYO-Korakuen Hall-Ambitious and unbeaten HIDEYASU ISHIHARA(right photo), 112,
recklessly attacked Japanese flyweight titlist CELES KOBAYASHI(left photo), 111 3/4,
but lost his stamina and finally succumbed with the champ's furious
retaliation on a TKO at 2:15 of the 7th canto in a scheduled 10.
Ishihara's ambitious dream to win the title in his third pro bout
failed. Had he done it, he would have broken the previous record of
winning the national title in the 4th pro bout established by James
Callaghan, Modest Yushin Napuni, Akinobu Hiranaka and Joichiro
Tatsuyoshi.
It was a contest of southpaws. The champ exploded a left cross and almost toppled the challenger from Nagoya in the beginning of the opening session. Ishihara grabbed him to withstand the crisis, and started his fireworks thereafter. Ishihara, who beat the then national champ Nolito "Suzuki" Cabato on points in his 6-round pro debut in the previous year, was known for his hard-hitting talent.
The taller Ishihara was apparently an aggressor who attacked Kobayashi with his full power all the way. Kobayashi (who dethroned Cabato in a rematch last Sept.), however, covered himself up and weathered a furious storm by the newcomer, occasionally counterpunching him with left crosses.
The 5th saw Ishihara obviously fading and Kobayashi turning aggressive. The champ clearly dominated the 5th and 6th to have the tide completely turn. In the fatal 7th, Kobayashi unleashed a flurry of short punches to the slower opponent. His triple left uppercut following a southpaw left cross made Ishihara kneel down. Ishihara, with no doubt, looked unable to go on, and referee Abe wisely declared a halt.
Scored after the 6th: Morita and Kumazaki both 59-57 and Uchida 58-57, all for Kobayashi. The durable champ raised his mark to 19-4-2, 10 KOs. Ishihara, formerly an amateur boxer of Komazawa Univ., fell to 2-1, one KO.
This sensational card drew a sell-out crowd at the Korakuen Hall with the promoter/manager of Kobayashi, Yoshinori Takahashi (ex-Orient welter champ who had an unsuccessful title shot at Eddie Perkins' 140-pound world throne), financially and actually resulting in a success.
MANABU FUKUSHIMA, JBC #2 ranked super-bantam, 122, scored his 5th consecutive KO win, as he displayed a fine KO triumph over Filipino ALFREDO SANDAB, 121 1/2, with a solid body shot to the stomach at 2:38 of the 5th round in a semi-final 10.
Fukushima, 14-2-1, 11 KOs, proved he could punch, but his lack of a good left jab seemed his obvious flaw that might cause a problem for Fukushima if he meets a more experienced and better opposition. Sandab, who showed his durability before the trick happening, reportedly fell to 11-9-3, just a KO.
JBC #8 ranked fly MASAKI KAWABATA, 112, proved more ringwise and dropped KOHEI MATSUURA, 112, with effective combinations in the 8th to earn a split but popular decision over 10.
It was surprising that a judge rendered his tally to Matsuura, who
retaliated with fast but light and less accurate combos and obviously
absorbed much more punishment. Scored: 98-94 and 97-95, both for
Kawabata, and 97-96 for Matsuura.
Kokusai Promotions.
(3-6-99)
Mar. 2
TOKYO-Korakuen Hall-JBC #9 ranked lightie TAKEHIRO SHIMADA, 132,
decisioned JBC #5 ranked lightie KEN MORIOKA, 132 1/2, over 10.
(3-2-99)