The Cyber Boxing Zone Newswire

JAPAN'S TOP RANKED FEATHER OKUDA SCORES 14 WINS STRAIGHT


May 29, 2000
OSAKA, JAPAN

Upcoming Japan's top ranked feather HARUHIKO OKUDA, 125
3/4, decked his tune-up bout prior to his national title shot this
coming July, as he almost toppled Thailand's DHANUINTHR KENGKARUN, Thai
No.4 ranked super-bantam, 125 3/4, in the second and finally finished
him at 1:27 of the 6th round.

Okuda, who scored 16 wins straight, improved his credentials to 17-1, 13
KOs, and will have an anticipated crack at the Japanese 126-pound title
against Toshikage Kimura, influential impresario Akihiko Honda's
protege, in Tokyo on July 1.  It will be a very competitive encounter of
the stylish and hard-hitting contestants.  
Okuda is handled by ex-OPBF bantam champ Eijiro Murata who had a crack
at the then WBA champ Jeff Chandler three times.
Promoter: Eddie Taunsend Promotions.
(5-29-00)
==============================================

HIRAMARU DISPLAYS 46-SEC. KNOCKOUT

May 29, 2000
TOKYO, JAPAN

Unranked MASAKI HIRAMARU, 117, appeared in a main event and
stunned the sparse crowd with a very quick demolition of Thailand's
SAKMONGKOL SINGMANASAK, 114, with a single left hook at 0:46 of
opening canto.

Referee Uratani declared a halt without counting upon the loser hitting
the deck with a thud.  He was completely flattened for minutes.

Hiramaru bettered his mark to 13-4-2, 10 KOs.

Undercard:
Korean import SEUNGCHUN LEE, Korean No.5 ranked middle, 162, put on a
give-and-take performance, and finally chalked up a TKO victory over an
elongated Thailander named SOMKID BUNLOOT, 167 1/4, at 2:49 of the 8th
session in a scheduled 10.

It's funny that such a short and stout-built boy as Lee squared off
against the 6'3" opponent.  Though Lee dominated the opening canto with
his aggressiveness, it was Somkid that controlled the pace thereafter by
utilizing his much longer reach.

Aware of being behind on points, Lee desperately retaliated in the fatal
session, pinning him with a fusillade of punches.  Somkid abruptly
turned his back, complaining of a dislocated jaw.  The third man got
embarrassed but called a stoppage, which stunned the spectators as
Somkid had an upper hand just before the trick happened.

Lee, 17-5-1, 14 KOs, got married with Japanese Yukiko Takei six months
before, and lately applied for a citizenship here in Japan.  Lee decided
to officially belong to Kashima Kyoei Gym, and will campaign here from
now on.

Lee was the guy who showed a double knockdown when he had a shot at the
then OPBF middle champ and future WBA ruler Shinji Takehara, though
losing.  Lee, called "Korean Tyson," may be a good
attraction here, though having passed his peak.

Somkid dropped to 9-8, 2 KOs.  It is very rare to see such a tall
Thailander, because Thai boxers, generally speaking, are short and small; 
indeed Thailand's national ratings dn't rate anyone over 140 pounds.

Promoter: Kyoei Promotions.
-------------------------------- 
By Joe Koizumi

If you wish to refer to my previous reports, please access to: 
ring-japan.com

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