FUKUSHIMA OUTSCORES KITAJIMA

August 28, 1999
TOKYO, JAPAN-JBC #1 ranked MANABU FUKUSHIMA, 124, kept putting on tricky and unorthodox performance to confuse JBC #4 ranked MOMOTARO KITAJIMA, 124, and earned a unanimous decision in a rather disappointing 10.

Fukushima, however, refused to mix up and tried to frustrate the taller rival who had tasted his first setback in his attempt to win the national title via a TKO loss to Manabu Fukushima.

Kitajima, an upright stylist, was a bit too methodical to solve Fukushima's unsual way of fighting, though he showed his last surge in the 9th and 10th rounds.

Scored-98-96 twice and 98-92, all for Fukushima, 16-2-1, 12 KOs. Kitajima fell to 15-2, 8 KOs. Despite a sensational matchup, it resulted in a disappointingly dull affair.

UNDERCARD:

JBC #8 ranked lightie HAYATO KIMURA, 140, fought to a technical draw with RYU BANDO, 139 3/4, at 1:10 of the 5th round in a scheduled 10. Kimura, who previously failed to win the national title at the hand of Rick Yoshimura, is 12-3-1, 3 KOs. Bando is 10-3-1, 4 KOs.

JB Sports Promotions.
(8-28-99)

KAYAMA KEEPS JAPANESE WELTER TITLE

August 24
TOKYO, JAPAN-Unbeaten TOSHIHARU KAYAMA, 147, had a tough time coping with fast-handed lefty MASAKAZU SATAKE, 146, but barely kept his Japanese welter title with his desperate attack in the last three session over 10.

Satake, a Reggie Johnson stylist, often caught the taller champ with his southpaw lefts and right hooks, but failed to throw punches in combination. Kayama was aware that it was close, and went out to be in command in the last three rounds.

Scored-97-96, 96-94 and 98-95, all for the champ. Kayama bettered his mark to 14-0-1, 9 KOs. Satake, 7-2-4, 4 KOs, is a legitimate 140-pounder, and will look for an opportunity to fight the OPBF super-light champ Jongkil Kim in December.

UNDERCARD:

JBC #3 ranked TAIJI OKAMOTO, 121, exploded a vicious right to lefty JUNICHI WATANABE, 121 1/4, and decked a beautiful TKO triumph at in the third session.

Okamoto is 13-1-2, 11 KOs. Watanabe, JBC #5 super-bantam, is 17-3, 14 KOs. This sensational match of hard-punchers gathered plenty of fans, rather than the main event, and Okamoto's fine victory seemingly satisfied the crowd.

Watanabe Promotions.
(8-24-99)

EX-WBA CHAMP CHANA PROVES TOO MUCH FOR YOKOYAMA

August 25
TOKYO, JAPAN-Ex-WBA minimum champ CHANA PORPAOIN(right photo), 108, proved too ringwise in giving a lesson to ex-Japanese champ KEISUKE YOKOYAMA(below photo) en route to a nearly shutout decision over 10.

Chana took the leadoff in the opening canto, and kept taking the initiative all the way before Yokoyama started desperate fireworks in the 8th.

Scored-99-94, 100-94 and 98-97 (this score was inexplicable), all for Chana, 41-1, 15 KOs. Yokoyama dropped to 12-6-1, 7 KOs.

Upcoming HIROHISA ISHIKAWA, 121 1/2, survived an 8th-round crisis and utilized his hit-and-run tactics to outscore hard-punching but slower Indonesian AHMAD FANDI, WBC international champ at 122 1/4, over 10.

Scored-98-96, 99-96 and 98-94, all for Ishikawa, 13-3-6, 4 KOs. Fandi, 27-7-2, 8 KOs, tried to catch the elusive target, but couldn't cope with the fleet-footed Japanese except in the 8th. The 8th watched Fandi land a big southpaw right hook to have him reeling to the ropes. Ishikawa had a narrow escape.

Saito Promotions.
(8-25-99)

SUGA BEATS WBC #5 MINIMUM JUN ARLOS

August 22
FUKUOKA, JAPAN-Local prospect MASANORI SUGA, 105 3/4, decked an upset decision over WBC #5 ranked minimum contender JUN ARLOS, 105 1/4, over 10.

Scored-100-91 twice and 100-90. Suga is 4-4-1, 2 KOs. Arlos, who didn't show his fighting spirit, fell to 27-8-2, 8 KOs.

(8-22-99)