CBZ News Archives: December 2003
Shirai passes away
By Joe KoizumiJapan's first world champion Yoshio Shirai, 80, passed away of pneumonia Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. Shirai, a stylish and smart boxer, was cultivated by his manager and US biologist Dr. Alvin R. Cahn staying here under the US occupation over Japan after the World War II. Shirai defeated the then world flyweight champ Dado Marino, Hawaii, to capture the unified 112-pound throne on May 19, 1952. He defended it four times by outscoring Marino (in a rematch), Tany Campo, Terry Allen and Leo Espinosa, but lost it to unbeaten ex-Olympic gold medalist Pascual Perez, Argentina, in 1954.
Shirai attempted to win back the belt only to lose to Perez again in the next year to decide to hang up gloves for good afterward. His overall record was 46-8-4, 18 KOs. Shirai became a popular commentator as well as coached such young boxers as Kenji Yonekura, Katsuo Saito, etc.
He lately established a Shira-Gushiken Gym along with ex-WBA 108-pound champ Yoko Gushiken to become the honorably president of the club year ago.
Shirai was a gentleman inside and outside of the ring to be loved by great many people to have become the pronoun of the professional boxer in Japan. We sincerely mourn our great predecessor's death.
Yoshio Shirai's Boxing Record
http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/shirai.htmPosted by mike@cyberboxingzone.com">mike@cyberboxingzone.com">delisa @ 10:27 AM EST [Link]
TERESA TAPIA EXPLAINS
(In an e-mail to the CBZ staff, Teresa Tapia countered the recent news story of Johnny Tapia's overdose)"Please do not pay any attention the story you read. There is going to be another one stating the facts from us regarding what really happened. It is actually a pretty silly story that was blown way out of hand. Johnny was not feeling well and decided to play Dr. by taking a prescription cough medicine to help soothe his cough. Normally this would not be bad, however the cough syrup contained codeine which Johnny is highly allergic to. (it was a prescription for Teresa) So Then Johnny, being the brain that he is, tried to counteract the medicine by taking Benadryl, and if that was not enough he decided to take Tylenol for his fever. Anyhow by the time he was done playing Dr. he ended up in the ER. The ER staff had to give him several IV's of different things to help counter all the stuff he consumed. Thankfully Johnny is fine and is home. Although he does have a pretty bruised ego and feels silly and embarrassed beyond description. Well that is the whole scoop and hopefully the media will retract their stories. --Teresa"
Posted by kkdunn0@yahoo.com">kkdunn0@yahoo.com">kdunn @ 10:58 AM EST [Link]
Kelsey Jeffries Named IFBA Fighter of the Year for 2003
(Press Release—International Female Boxing Association)
With 8 fights in 2003, including 2 world title defenses of her IFBA Featherweight title, Kelsey Jeffries proved to be the most active fighter in the IFBA in 2003. With a record of 24-8, Kelsey took on Rolanda Andrews and Kelli Cofer to retain her IFBA Championship and the honor of being named IFBA Fighter of the Year. Check out Kelsey’s website at www.kel-c.com
Congratulations Champ!
Posted by kkdunn0@yahoo.com">kkdunn0@yahoo.com">kdunn @ 01:28 PM EST [Link]
Cory Spinks -- New Lineal Champion
Here is the record for Cory Spinks, who beat Ricardo Mayorga for the Lineal Welterweight Title on Saturday night.
Posted by mike@cyberboxingzone.com">mike@cyberboxingzone.com">delisa @ 11:50 AM EST [Link]
Saturday's Results:
At MSG, New York, NY
Vitaly Klitschko, 250 TKO2 Kirk Johnson, 260(Johnson down twice before referee Arthur Mercante, Jr. stopped contest)
Joe Mesi WM Monte Barrett (Scores: 94-94, 95-93, 94-93/ Mesi down in 7th; Barret down in 5th)
At Old Colony Hall, Plymouth, MA
Jerald Lowe, 173 WIN-4 Geoff Yalenezian, 173(Yalenezian's first fight in 6 years, pretty mucha whitewash, scores 40-36, 40-37,39-37)
Luis Rivera, 142 WIN-8 Elio Rodriguez, 143(Good match, LR's 2nd win over Elio)
Jay Pina, 164 WIN-6 Jerry Smith 160(Pina's first fight in 7 years)
William Foster 140 WIN-6 Walkimi Young 146
Posted by jdvena@cyberbozingzone.com">jdvena@cyberbozingzone.com">jdvena @ 08:56 AM EST [Link]
