May. 25, 1999
TOKYO, JAPAN-Ex-Japanese middle champ YOSHINORI NISHIZAWA(right photo), 168, captured
the OPBF super-middleweight throne, as he took the initiative, floored
the defending champ YONGSUK CHOI(left photo), 168, Korea, in the 8th and earned a
split but well-received upset decision over 12 heats.
The 6'4" Choi, the WBC #10 ranked contender, looked sluggish from the start due to his severe reduction of weight. He reduced some 10 pounds in two days prior to the weigh-in. (He scaled in at 186 just before the fight, gaining 18 pounds in a day.)
Nishizawa landed a solid right and shook up Choi in the 2nd. He was in command in the 2nd through 4th. The much taller Choi came back to dominate the 5th and 6th as he connected with long left-right combinations.
Nishizawa, who had been dethroned by Nobunao Ohtani last Nov., moved up to the super-middle division. He displayed his determination by coming forward to take the 7th.
The Japanese showed his best in the 8th, when he landed a solid right to have the Korean down on the deck.
Choi fought back hard from the 9th onward, as Nishizawa became visibly
tired and slowed down. The Korean giant took command in the 9th and
10th. But Nishizawa withstood Choi's last surge and lasted the 12th and
last round by responding to Choi's desperate attack.
Scored: referee Wansoo Yuh (Korea) 115-114 for Choi, but judges Masakazu Uchida (Japan) 116-113 and Nobuaki Uratani (Japan) 115-114, both for Nishizawa.
The newly crowned Nisihizawa raised his mark to 15-12-4, 9 KOs. Choi tasted his first setback and dropped to 7-1, 4 KOs.
Choi, 26, was formerly an excellent amateur boxer, who turned pro and wrested the OPBF super-middle title on an upset decision over Aussie Darren Obah in Korea in Mar., 1996. But the sudden Korean recession prevented him from fighting for almost two years.
Choi made a comeback by finishing compatriot Sungchun Lee this Jan. and was awarded a technical decision over Sam Leuii of New Zealand in Miyazaki last Mar.
Choi was overconfident prior to his 3rd defense with Nishizawa, and come to Japan with more than 10 pounds over the super-middle limit, 168, three days before the title bout. His carelessness paid off, because he left his usual zip and sharpness in Korea.
Yonekura Promotions.
(5-25-99)