April 24, 2000

NAGOYA, JAPAN-Rugged and gutsy HIDEKI TODAKA, 114 3/4, successfully kept his WBA super-flyweight title, as he withstood solid punches of ex-champ YOKTHAI SITH-OAR, 115, Thailand, in earlier rounds, floored him in the 8th and finally chalked up a TKO win at 0:38 of the 11th round.

It's Todaka's second defense since he dethroned Venezuelan Jesus "Kiki" Rojas on an upset unanimous verdict here last July. His stock now raised very highly because of this come-from-behind victory before estimated 8,500 spectators at the Rainbow Hall.

They mixed up and swapped strong shots toe-to-toe each other from the outset. The first two rounds were close and might be given to either, but it was Yokthai that dominated the third through 7th with his snappier and more effective punches. The Thailander repeatedly caught the shorter champ with stinging lefts and good uppercuts.

Todaka, however, caught the Thailander with a vicious overhand right that hit the face at the bell to end the 8th. Referee Stanley Christodoulou, South Africa, took the mandatory 8 count against the rubbery-legged ex-champ, who barely returned to his corner like a sleep walker. The tide then turned in the champ's favor.

Todaka kept stalking and punching the obviously fading Thailander from all angles in the 9th and 10th. A couple of judges tallied 10-8 in three successive rounds from the 8th.

The 11th saw Todaka furiously swarm over the still game but arm-weary opponent. He had Yokthai reeling to the ropes and made him turn his back with his fusillade of punches. The third man made a very well-timed and well-received stoppage.

Scored after the 10th-Robert Watson (US) 95-92, Albert Wilensky (US) 95-93, and Hank Meijers (Netherland) 94-94, all for Todaka, 17-2-1, 8 KOs. Yokthai, three years his junior at 24, dropped to 23-2-1, 14 KOs.

UNDERCARD: Comebacking ex-national super-feather champ RYUHEI SUGITA, 131, absorbed a big overhand right in the opening canto, but dominated the remainder of the bout and pounded out a unanimous decision over very durable MAKOTO NAWA, 130 1/2, over 10.

Sugita, 17-0-1, 14 KOs, had sustained a retinal injury and underwent a surgery to be inactive for 14 months, but lately made a return to the ring and scored a couple of wins. Nawa, 11-3, 4 KOs, fought well and endured Sugita's busy combinations.

KIMITAKA SAKAI, 188 1/2, made short work of ABBO NIMACERE, 183, from Fuji, at 1:55 of the opening session in a scheduled 8. Sakai is 8-1, 4 KOs. The loser reportedly fell to 5-6, 4 KOs.

Promoter: Midori Promotions. WBA supervisor: Julio Castillo (Venezuela). (4-23-00)

SCORESHEETS

Albert Wilenskiy (US)

Round 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 TOTAL
TODAKA 9 10 9 9 9 10 9 10 10 10 95
YOKTHA 10 9 10 10 10 9 10 8 9 8 93

Robert Watson (US)

Round 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 TOTAL
TODAKA 10 10 9 9 9 9 9 10 10 10 95
YOKTHAI 9 9 10 10 10 10 10 8 8 8 92

Hank Meijers (Netherland)

Round 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 TOTAL
TODAKA 9 9 9 9 9 10 9 10 10 10 94
YOKTHAI 10 10 10 10 10 9 10 8 8 8 93

Referee: Stanley Christodoulou (South Africa)