December 7, 1999
TOKYO-Fast-moving Japanese HIROSHI NAKAJIMA(right photo), 105, had a tough time in
earlier rounds, but took the initiative in the second half and swept the
last two rounds to retain his OPBF minimum title on a split decision
over Filipino ALLAN LLANITA, 105, over 12.
Nakajima, now 14-1, just 1 KO, didn't look sharp in earlier sessions, while the shorter Filipino occasionally threw heavier punches to the nervous champ. As the contest progressed, Llanita became visibly tired and slowing down. Nakajima aimed at the breadbasket of the fading Filipino, and went all out for a kill in the last two rounds to confirm his triumph.
Scored: referee Ukrid Sarasas (Thailand) 117-115 and judge Kazunobu Asao (Japan) 118-112, both for Nakajima, and Vicente Rodriguez (Philippines) 116-112 for Llanita, reportedly 14-8-5, 5 KOs.
In a main event, Japanese welter champ TOSHIHARU KAYAMA(left photo), 147, retained
his national title as he whipped ex-national super-light boss JACKIE
KUWATA (previously fighting as Hiromu Kuwata), 145 1/4, over 10.
We thought it was obvious that Kayama unanimously beat the veteran campaigner, so it was a great surprise that two judges saw it close and another had it a draw.
Scored: Kazunobu Asao and Kazuo Abe both 97-95 for Kayama, and Ukrid Sarasas 96-96.
Kayama raised his unbeaten mark to 15-0-1, 9 KOs. His left-right combinations occasionally made Kuwata rubbery-legged effectively. Kuwata dropped to 24-6-2, 6 KOs. His light but many punches in the close range might be evaluated by the officials. The ref was Masakazu Uchida.
Watanabe Promotions.
Matchmaker of the OPBF title go: Joe Koizumi.
(12-7-99)
Dec. 12
FURUKAWA-CHO, GIFU-Ex-Japanese super-feather champ RYUHEI SUGITA(right photo), 129
1/4, returned to a ring warfare after a 13-month layoff due to a retinal
surgery, and decked his comeback by disposing of Filipino RENATO MORENO,
128 1/2, with a wicked body shot at 2:02 of the second round.
Sugita, managed by ex-WBC super-bantam champ, improved his unbeaten ledger to 15-0-1, 14 KOs.
SHINOBU MATSUKURA, 114 3/4, chalked up a TKO win over YOSHIAKI MAKITANI, 113 1/2, at 2:40 of the second round in a scheduled 8. Matsukura is 7-2-2, 3 KOs. Makitani impaired to 6-4-3, a KO.
Hatanaka Promotions.
(12-12-99)