Taniguchi wins, Kyoguchi gets revenge, Oguni blasted and Casimero explodes
Prior to the Ariake Arena super show today in Japan, we got another show, from the Yokohama Budokan, which was less high profile, but featured a number of notable names, and some very interesting action.
The first of 4 former world champions in action on the show was former WBO Minimumweight champion Masataka Taniguchi (19-4, 13) [谷口将隆], who did exactly what he was supposed to do, as he stopped Thai veteran, and former WBA “interim” Minimumweight champion, Pai Pharob (38-6, 29) in the 6th round of their clash. From the off Taniguchi never seemed in any real problem as the Thai served more of a name foe than a real test. Pai Pharob, who got the bout on short notice, showed some crafty skills, and managed to connect with a few solid shots, but it always seemed to be a case of Taniguchi being in control, and hurting Pai Pharob when he went to the body, doing so several times early in the fight. Unsurprisingly it was body work that would eventually finish the Thai, with a left hand to the midsection sending him down for the count.
The second former world champion didn’t fare so well as former IBF Super Bantamweight champion Yukinori Oguni (21-4-3, 8) [小國以載] was dismantled by unheralded Namibian fighter Fillipus Nghitumbwa (15-2, 13). Nghitumbwa’s power proved to be far, far too much for the shop worn Oguni, who was dropped 3 times in the opening round. Oguni started well but got dragged into the wrong fight, being dropped by a hard left hand. He beat the count but looked buzzed when he got back up and was sent down a second time by a wild combination up top. The third, and final knockdown came when Oguni went all out on the offensive before Nghitumbwa returned the fire with interest. For a fight that lasted less than 3 minutes this was great to watch, intense, and thrilling, but unfortunately a clear sign Oguni needs to hang them up.
The third bout of real note on the card saw former 2-weight champion Hiroto Kyoguchi (19-2, 12) [京口紘人] exact some revenge over Filipino fighter Vince Paras (21-3-1, 15), who claimed a very controversial decision over Kyoguchi earlier this year. This bout, the third between the two men, showed the familiarity between the two men, with both looking like they knew what the other wanted to do, leading to a very close and well contested bout. Kyoguchi regularly brought the pressure, but Para neutralised it well and countered in the early going. In the second half of the bout things turned around somewhat with Paras upping his output and Kyoguchi turning counter puncher. Later on Paras began to tired until he got his second wind in the final round which saw both men letting shots fly, as they looked to do enough to secure the victory. In the end Kyoguchi did just enough, taking the decision 96-94, twice, and 95-95
In the main event we saw the best of former multi-weight world champion John Riel Casimero (34-4-1, 23), who destroyed rugged American Saul Sanchez (21-4, 12) inside a round. Casimero showed his unprofessional side yesterday when he missed weight and was forced to have a same day weigh in, which he thankfully made today. But in the ring he was his explosive best, dropping Sanchez within seconds with a left hook. Sanchez beat the count as Casimero jumped on him. Sanchez tried to fight fire with fire but it didn’t work and late in the opening round the referee jumped in to save Sanchez who had been rocked backwards by a hard right hand. Despite the win it’s hard to imagine anyone being in a rush to fight Casimero, who’s unprofessional side shone through, once again. There are few fighters with the explosive power, sensational aggression and must watch style as Casimero, who have done so much harm to their own careers in recent years. Sadly comments made to the media, where he stated that he doesn’t care about making weight, will not do him any favours, and he may well find himself being frozen out of the big fights he craves.
The first of 4 former world champions in action on the show was former WBO Minimumweight champion Masataka Taniguchi (19-4, 13) [谷口将隆], who did exactly what he was supposed to do, as he stopped Thai veteran, and former WBA “interim” Minimumweight champion, Pai Pharob (38-6, 29) in the 6th round of their clash. From the off Taniguchi never seemed in any real problem as the Thai served more of a name foe than a real test. Pai Pharob, who got the bout on short notice, showed some crafty skills, and managed to connect with a few solid shots, but it always seemed to be a case of Taniguchi being in control, and hurting Pai Pharob when he went to the body, doing so several times early in the fight. Unsurprisingly it was body work that would eventually finish the Thai, with a left hand to the midsection sending him down for the count.
The second former world champion didn’t fare so well as former IBF Super Bantamweight champion Yukinori Oguni (21-4-3, 8) [小國以載] was dismantled by unheralded Namibian fighter Fillipus Nghitumbwa (15-2, 13). Nghitumbwa’s power proved to be far, far too much for the shop worn Oguni, who was dropped 3 times in the opening round. Oguni started well but got dragged into the wrong fight, being dropped by a hard left hand. He beat the count but looked buzzed when he got back up and was sent down a second time by a wild combination up top. The third, and final knockdown came when Oguni went all out on the offensive before Nghitumbwa returned the fire with interest. For a fight that lasted less than 3 minutes this was great to watch, intense, and thrilling, but unfortunately a clear sign Oguni needs to hang them up.
The third bout of real note on the card saw former 2-weight champion Hiroto Kyoguchi (19-2, 12) [京口紘人] exact some revenge over Filipino fighter Vince Paras (21-3-1, 15), who claimed a very controversial decision over Kyoguchi earlier this year. This bout, the third between the two men, showed the familiarity between the two men, with both looking like they knew what the other wanted to do, leading to a very close and well contested bout. Kyoguchi regularly brought the pressure, but Para neutralised it well and countered in the early going. In the second half of the bout things turned around somewhat with Paras upping his output and Kyoguchi turning counter puncher. Later on Paras began to tired until he got his second wind in the final round which saw both men letting shots fly, as they looked to do enough to secure the victory. In the end Kyoguchi did just enough, taking the decision 96-94, twice, and 95-95
In the main event we saw the best of former multi-weight world champion John Riel Casimero (34-4-1, 23), who destroyed rugged American Saul Sanchez (21-4, 12) inside a round. Casimero showed his unprofessional side yesterday when he missed weight and was forced to have a same day weigh in, which he thankfully made today. But in the ring he was his explosive best, dropping Sanchez within seconds with a left hook. Sanchez beat the count as Casimero jumped on him. Sanchez tried to fight fire with fire but it didn’t work and late in the opening round the referee jumped in to save Sanchez who had been rocked backwards by a hard right hand. Despite the win it’s hard to imagine anyone being in a rush to fight Casimero, who’s unprofessional side shone through, once again. There are few fighters with the explosive power, sensational aggression and must watch style as Casimero, who have done so much harm to their own careers in recent years. Sadly comments made to the media, where he stated that he doesn’t care about making weight, will not do him any favours, and he may well find himself being frozen out of the big fights he craves.