November 30, 1999
CHAMP'S HEAVY FLU CHANGE IT INTO INTERIM TITLE BOUT
NOEL ARAMBLET, WBA minimumweight champ, was scheduled to defend his belt
against Japanese lefty SATORU ABE, 23-2-1, 10 KOs, in Nagoya, Japan, on
Dec. 4. But the Venezuelan champ suffered so heavy flu that he was
diagnosed-on Nov. 22-by three commission doctors to be unable to fight
as scheduled. Having sold many tickets, the promoter Koji Matsuda was
greatly confused by the champ's decision. Finally the impresario got a
confirmation of Filipino JOMA GAMBOA, 26-5-1, 19 KOs, to meet his boy
Abe for the vacant WBA interim title with the WBA's authorization. In
the long fistic history here in Japan, we have never cancel any world
title bouts once our promoters began selling tickets and the title goes
decided to be telecast by some networks. Anyway, Gamboa's acceptance
has saved the reputation of our boxing industry to our fight fans and TV
world.
ISHII'S GAMENESS PRAISED
KOZO ISHII failed to win the WBA super-bantam title on a 12th round TKO
by NESTOR GARZA in Nagoya on Nov. 21, but his positive performance was
highly praised by the whole boxing fraternity here. Before the
stoppage, the official tallies were even: 107-103 for Ishii, 108-103 for
Garza and 105-105. This reporter saw it 105-104 for Ishii on a 10-9
basis in every round without scoring a 10-10. Ishii had the champ in
trouble with a fusillade of punches in the 7th, but his less experience
might have caused too high a pace in earlier rounds and he was slowing
down in later sessions, though he won the 11th by a clear margin.
Ishii, 21-2, 14 KOs, may zoom up as a bright prospect to fight in a bid
for the world title again in the nearest future. Even our experts and
press highly praised his power-punching and big heart.
ENCOUNTER OF UNBEATEN LEFTIES
FREDDIE NORWOOD, WBA featherweight champ, decided to put his title on
the line against unbeaten Japanese lefty TAKASHI KOSHIMOTO, 23-0-1, 13
KOs, in Fukuoka, Japan, on January 30, 2000. Norwood, making his second
defense after regaining the WBA title, will face a very tall and lanky
opponent in Koshimoto, standing 5'9", who is the promoter/manager
Hidetake's son. It will be an encounter of unbeaten southpaw. Norwood,
nicknamed Li'l Hagler, boasts of his unbeaten mark of 35-0-1, 20 KOs.
Koshimoto, who kept his national title six times, is a fast footworker
with decent punch. If he can utilize his foot and quick hand, he may
show a good performance against the short and unorthodox lefty Norwood,
who is superior on power and skill in the close range without doubt.
TODAKA'S MANDATORY DEFENSE
Japan's sole world champ HIDEKI TODAKA will risk his WBA super-fly belt
against perennial top contender and ex-champ YOKTHAI SITH-OAR, Thailand,
in Nagoya in April, 2000. Todaka elevated his stock by beating
previously unbeaten golden boy Akihiko Nago by a clear decision on
November 7. Though Todaka now takes a rest, he will resume training
next year and go to Los Angeles to train under the tutelage of his US
trainer Mack Kurihara.
VEERAPOL SAHAPROM, AKA Veerapol Nakornluang-Promotion, the WBC bantam
champ, will be obliged to enter the purse bidding with the top contender
ADAN VARGAS in Mexico City on December 3. The cool and hard-hitting
Thailander will be a favorite due to his superior skill and power,
wherever he may fight the younger brother of ex-WBC feather ruler Goyo
Vargas.
(Remarks) This reporter asked Mr. Edward Thangarajah, the coordinator
for the WBC champ, why he had not registered his current ring name to
the WBC office to avoid the confusion of his double names. His
explanation was clear and self-explanatory. Edward said, "We don't like
to endorse any sponsor's name in terms of the world ratings, whatever
second name he begins to use." If it is Veerapol's policy, we must
admit the difference of his ring name (Nakornluang-Promotion) and his
original name (Sahaprom). Anyway, it is very confusing for us,
record-keepers, that Thai boxer frequently change his second names upon
new sponsors they get.
FOUR WORLD CHAMPS IN THAILAND
With respect to the number of world champs, Thailand is the leading
country on the Asian fistic map. From the viewpoint of the number of
fight cards, Japan is superior to any country in the Far East. Still
19-year-old WANDEE CHOR CHAREON, WBC minimum champ, has no schedule to
defend his title yet, since his reputation become high with his very
impressive 12th round stoppage of ex-OPBF champ Wolf Tokimitsu in
Kurashiki, Japan, last May. No Asian promoters are willing to invite
and book this upcoming and improving champ.
MEDGOEN 3K-BATTERY, WBC fly champ, is said to defend his newly acquired
title against Korean national champ Kangwoong Lee in December, but Lee's
manager Jaedo Yuh, ex-WBA junior middle champ, hasn't received any
contract from Thailand, so finally accepted fighting Masamori Tokuyama
in a quest for the OPBF 115-pound title in Osaka on December 13. If
Medgoen really defends his WBC throne this month, Yuh will recommend
another boy of his stable, Sangik Yang, WBC international light fly
champ.
SORNPICHAI KRATCHINGDAENG, new WBA fly champ, was planning to defend his
title in Thailand in December, but it seems to be postponed again and
again. It may take place there in January.
--
Joe Koizumi
If you wish to refer to my previous reports, please access to:
http://www.ring-japan.com/oriental.htm
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