3 new champions crowned at Korakuen Hall
Earlier today we had a Minimumweight spectacular at Korakuen Hall, with 7 Minimumweight bouts, including 3 title bouts, one of which has seemingly helped establish a new super prospect, and potentially even one of the next faces of not just the division but also the Teiken Gym, which has seen it’s number of elite fighters dwindle in recent years.
The first of the three title bouts saw a title change hands as the defending Japanese Youth champion Rento Miyazawa (7-3-1, 2) [宮澤漣斗] was dethroned by the unbeaten Takero Kitano (7-0-1, 3) [北野武郎] in a razor thin 8 rounder. From the off this was hotly contested, with great and forth from the off. Kitano seemed to edge his way into the lead early on before Miyazawa fought back in the middle rounds, with all 3 judges giving him the 6th round which was the first round all 3 judges agreed on. Sadly for Miyazawa however it was Kitano who finished better, winning the final 2 rounds to do enough to claim the razor thin decision, with scores of 77-75, twice, and 76-76.
The second of the 3 bouts saw a title vacancy being filled as we had Takeshi Ishii (9-1, 7) [石井武志] being crowned as the OPBF Minimumweight Minimumweight champion following a very hotly contested win over Filipino John Kevin Jimenez (8-1, 3). From the off Jimenez proved to be sharp, tricky and an intelligent fighter, who moved well and found space to work. Ishii on the other hand fought like someone who was determined to break down the visitor, using a lot of body work. After 4 rounds it was hard to split the two men, with 2 judges having the bout even and the third seeing it as a shut out for Ishii. Jimenez landed some of his best shots in round 5, including an eye catching counter right hand, but he wasn't able to force Ishii to back off, as Ishii continued to press the action and drag Jimenez into his fight. After 8 rounds we had the open scoring, for the second time, with Ishii up 78-74 and 77-75, whilst the third judge had it even. Ishii continued to press, trying to make the most of a now tiring Jimenez, and press hard in round 9, though was thwarted by a good round 10 from Jimenez, as he refused to just roll over. Sadly for Jimenez however he was clearly tired in the final round as Ishii put his foot on the gas and looked to put the bout beyond all doubt, securing a unanimous decision with scores of 116-112, twice, and 115-113.
In the main event we saw the emergence of a star as Ryusei Matsumoto (4-0, 2) [松本流星] announced himself as a super prospect in a dominant display to claim the Japanese title. The professional novice was up against Katsuki Mori (12-4, 3) [森且貴] in what looked like a great bout for the vacant title. In reality this was a showcase for Matsumoto who looked incredibly sharp and crisp from the off, and did as he liked against the brave, but out-matched Mori. Mori really was made to look second rate from the off as Matsumoto pressed the action, landed some eye catching shots and established an early lead, before breaking down Mori, dropping him in round 7 with a right hook and then stopping him soon afterwards with a straight left hand. For many fans, even those in Japan, this was their first good look at Matsumoto as a professional, following a very successful amateur career, and it is very clear that he's got the tools to be moved towards a world title fight sooner rather than later. He seems to have it all, and although he’s not yet ready for a world title fight, it seems clear that he’s not a long way from one, with Teiken looking to have a future world champion on their hands here.
The first of the three title bouts saw a title change hands as the defending Japanese Youth champion Rento Miyazawa (7-3-1, 2) [宮澤漣斗] was dethroned by the unbeaten Takero Kitano (7-0-1, 3) [北野武郎] in a razor thin 8 rounder. From the off this was hotly contested, with great and forth from the off. Kitano seemed to edge his way into the lead early on before Miyazawa fought back in the middle rounds, with all 3 judges giving him the 6th round which was the first round all 3 judges agreed on. Sadly for Miyazawa however it was Kitano who finished better, winning the final 2 rounds to do enough to claim the razor thin decision, with scores of 77-75, twice, and 76-76.
The second of the 3 bouts saw a title vacancy being filled as we had Takeshi Ishii (9-1, 7) [石井武志] being crowned as the OPBF Minimumweight Minimumweight champion following a very hotly contested win over Filipino John Kevin Jimenez (8-1, 3). From the off Jimenez proved to be sharp, tricky and an intelligent fighter, who moved well and found space to work. Ishii on the other hand fought like someone who was determined to break down the visitor, using a lot of body work. After 4 rounds it was hard to split the two men, with 2 judges having the bout even and the third seeing it as a shut out for Ishii. Jimenez landed some of his best shots in round 5, including an eye catching counter right hand, but he wasn't able to force Ishii to back off, as Ishii continued to press the action and drag Jimenez into his fight. After 8 rounds we had the open scoring, for the second time, with Ishii up 78-74 and 77-75, whilst the third judge had it even. Ishii continued to press, trying to make the most of a now tiring Jimenez, and press hard in round 9, though was thwarted by a good round 10 from Jimenez, as he refused to just roll over. Sadly for Jimenez however he was clearly tired in the final round as Ishii put his foot on the gas and looked to put the bout beyond all doubt, securing a unanimous decision with scores of 116-112, twice, and 115-113.
In the main event we saw the emergence of a star as Ryusei Matsumoto (4-0, 2) [松本流星] announced himself as a super prospect in a dominant display to claim the Japanese title. The professional novice was up against Katsuki Mori (12-4, 3) [森且貴] in what looked like a great bout for the vacant title. In reality this was a showcase for Matsumoto who looked incredibly sharp and crisp from the off, and did as he liked against the brave, but out-matched Mori. Mori really was made to look second rate from the off as Matsumoto pressed the action, landed some eye catching shots and established an early lead, before breaking down Mori, dropping him in round 7 with a right hook and then stopping him soon afterwards with a straight left hand. For many fans, even those in Japan, this was their first good look at Matsumoto as a professional, following a very successful amateur career, and it is very clear that he's got the tools to be moved towards a world title fight sooner rather than later. He seems to have it all, and although he’s not yet ready for a world title fight, it seems clear that he’s not a long way from one, with Teiken looking to have a future world champion on their hands here.