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03/16/2004 Archived Entry: "Nago upset by Kijima"
Nago upset by Kijima in Jaapanese Bantam Match-up
By Joe Koizumi
Former two-time world challenger Akihiko Nago (22-5-1, 15 KOs), 120.25, surprisingly dropped a unanimous technical decision (89-86, 88-85 and 87-86) to Japanese #8 bantam Yasuo Kijima (16-7-2, 5 KOs), 120.25, at 2:36 of the ninth round on Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan.
Nago was so disappointedly sluggish that he was continually pinned to the ropes to absorb Kijima¡Çs body bombardments all the way despite his occasional attempt to retaliate with wild and less accurate swings with his back to the ropes. Kijima sustained such a bad gash caused by an accidental butt that he couldn't go on, and a technical verdict was taken by the referee Yoshida. Nago, who had failed to win the WBA and WBC 115-pound belts, losing to Hideki Todaka and Masamori Tokuyama both on points years ago.
Aggressive Daisuke Yamanaka (12-1, 8 KOs), 121.5, piloted by ex-WBA 108-pound champ Yoko Gushiken, floored more experienced Nobuyuki Doi (14-7-4, 6 KOs), 122, with a wicked body shot in the sixth, withstood Doi¡Çs furious retaliation in the final canto and eked out a split nod (96-95 twice and 96-97) over ten.
Promoter: Shirai Gushiken Promotions.
