Mar. 20, 1999
TOKYO-Korakuen Hall-Imported Thailander PHANIENG "OKUDA" SASIPRABHA(right photo), WBC #4 ranked light fly, 112, swept almost all rounds to earn a unanimous decision over Japan's MASAYUKI KUBO(left photo), 112, over 10.

Having been traded from Thai promoter/manager Songchai Ratanasuban by Kikuji Okuda of Kadoebi Gym, Phanieng, a lanky speedster, scored his second victory here following his 8th-round TKO win over ex-Japanese minimum champ Keisuke Yokoyama last Sept.

Phanieng might be a good boxer, but not a crowd pleaser. He outpunched the shorter opponent with sharp but less powerful jabs and left-right combos, piling up points steadily. Some spectators left the Hall, being tired of the monotonous processing. Kubo, however, showed his pride and determination in taking the 9th canto as he often scored right crosses at the upright stylist. But it was only one round that Kubo could dominate.

The Thailander, fighting under the nom-de-guerre of Phanieng Okuda, improved his unbeaten mark to 23-0, 10 KOs. Kubo, unranked by the JBC, fell to 8-5-2, 2 KOs.

Scored: 99-95, 98-96 and 99-95, all for the soft-punching import.

UNDERCARD:

Sensational ex-amateur hard-hitter HIROYUKI ENOKI(left photo), 123 1/2, registered his third KO win in as many pro outings (all in the opening session), as he blasted out KIYOSHI WATANABE, 123 1/2, at 3:01 of the first round in a scheduled 8.

Enoki's solid left hook dropped his victim, who raised himself but fell again to be saved by the ref. Enoki, 3-0, 3 KOs, is expected to continue his winning streak. Watanabe dipped to 9-4, 5 KOs.
Kadoebi Promotions.
(3-20-99)

Mar. 15
TOKYO-Korakuen Hall-Unbeaten lefty AKIHIKO NAGO(right photo), Japanese super-fly champ ranked #7 by both the WBA and the WBC, 116 1/2, sent Filipino ARMANDO ROSIL, 115, to the deck thrice en route to a fine KO victory at 2:04 of the 3rd round in a scheduled 10.

Nago, managed by ex-WBA light fly champ Yoko Gushiken, found it very easy to overpower the unranked Filipino boxer by the GAB. He dropped his victim twice in the 2nd and once more in the fatal session.

Nago, 14-0, 10 KOs, was formerly All-Japan high school champ, as his manager Gushiken. But he still has a tendency of hitting a punch at a time, though we admit he can punch with either hand. Rosil reportedly impaired to 12-12-4, 6 KOs.

UNDERCARD:

Upcoming OSAMU SATO(left photo), 121 1/2, scored a shutout decision over Filipino BRUTOS GASTADOR, 121 1/2, over a monotonous 10.

Sato, JBC #5 ranked super-bantam, zoomed up quickly with his previous upset triumph over Tatsuya Tojo, but he showed a lackluster performance despite the lopsided proceedings.

Sato is 13-1-1, 5 KOs. Gastador is reportedly 11-10-3, 3 KOs.
Kyoei Promotions.
(3-15-99)

Mar. 14
MUNAKATA-Unbeaten lefty TAKASHI KOSHIMOTO(right photo), WBA #8 ranked feather, 125 3/4, proved too sharp and strong for another southpaw JUNICHI NAKAMURA(left photo - right), 126, as he floored his grudge rival in the 4th and battered him so onesidedly as to be awarded a TKO win at 2:22 of the 7th round.

It was their 3rd bout with Koshimoto previously having kept his national crown by a controversial technical draw and a unanimous decision. But Koshimoto technically improved much more than the game lefty from Nagoya.

The 5'9" champ utilized his southpaw jabs and straight lefts to the willing mixer and obviously hurt him as the contest progressed. Koshimoto kept peppering him so that the referee Koike intervened to save the loser from further punishment.

Koshimoto, the son of his manager/promoter/trainer, raised his ledger to 21-0-2, 10 KOs. Nakamura, JBC #1 contender, fell to 21-4-2, 16 KOs. He failed to win the Japanese title on four occasions, losing to Koji Matsumoto and Koshimoto (twice) and fighting to a disputed draw with the latter.

UNDERCARD:

Unbeaten DAINOSHIN KUMA(left photo), JBC #10 ranked feather, 132 1/4, displayed a fine KO win over KENJI TORII, 131, at 1:05 of the second round in a scheduled 6. Kuma, the Novice King tourney victor, extended his unbeaten mark to 10-0, 4 KOs. Torii dipped to 6-8-2, 2 KOs.
Fukuma Sports Promotions.
(3-14-99)