YOSHIKI Takei retained his WBO bantamweight title however was made to work for each second by challenger Daigo Higa. Scores of 115-112 and two 114-113 choices meant Takei saved the belt in a combat that began off at vary and ended as a traditional slugfest.
Following a cagey opener, Takei widened his stance to let some bombs fly however was harm early within the second. Change-hitting Higa went for broke in spherical 4, pushing Takei to the ropes, touchdown head-snapping volleys from each arms.
The champion regrouped and took centre ring, attempting to negate Higa’s neat jabs. The combat was contested with mutual respect, punctuated by moments of utmost violence and machismo.
Higa might barely miss with the left hand, both main or countering with the identical correct stick. Heavy-handed Higa was teeing off once more in spherical 9. Takei’s chin held up regardless of the taller man transport an alarming variety of flush pictures.
Each males had been lower and bleeding in spherical eleven as Higa noticed his likelihood to steal away the title. Takei appeared to slide with a minute left within the spherical. The referee known as it a knockdown. Takei was now in large hassle and wanted a response.
Takei got here out within the twelfth spherical like a real champion, winging final-session haymakers to grab the win as a fatigued Higa narrowly prevented a dramatic late stoppage.
Andy Hiraoka stopped Ismael Barroso in spherical 9 after touchdown some heavy pictures on the Venezuelan veteran. It was fought at a sluggish tempo and Barroso went down in spherical six from a cuffing proper hook.
Barroso was down once more within the ninth from a scorching left hand and hit the canvas for a 3rd time following an accumulation mixture. Barroso rose and was about to be saved by the bell till Barroso’s nook stated “no extra” at 2:58. This was a WBA title eliminator.
“Jose Valenzuela, I’m coming for you bro!” the winner said.
Jin Sasaki landed each energy punch he might muster earlier than Australia’s robust Qamil Balla folded within the seventh spherical. Balla was lower in spherical two and down closely in spherical three from a left hook behind the ear. The stoppage was on level, as Balla had nothing left to show.
Toshiki Shimomachi opened the present with a unanimous determination victory over Ryuya Tsugawa, who scored a knockdown in spherical eight however was unable to capitalise sufficient to win the competition.