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Sidney Boquiren has the latest boxing news and notes from Japan (plus recaps after the jump). For more Japanese boxing updates, you can follow Sidney on twitter: RingwalkNippon@Twitter
Tepparith-Nashiro on September 1
Nobuo Nashiro is getting yet another chance at a world title as he has been tabbed to challenge Tepparith Kotietgym on September 1 in Osaka. The former two-time champ, 18-4-1 (12KO), will try to win back the WBA 115lb belt he lost to Hugo Cazares in 2010. The Kansai native, who has not had a significant fight since losing to Suriyan Sor Rungvisai last November, told the media that he plans to retire if he loses the bout.
Since turning over his title to Cazares, Nashiro has made only two meaningful appearances, losing both by points. In February 2011, he was outclassed by Tomas Rojas in an attempt at the WBC version of the super flyweight crown; then would drop another decision to the Mexican’s successor in Sor Rungvisai. While he has kept busy by notching three consecutive stoppage wins, all have come against novice opponents with a total record of 1-2. Though his handlers state that they plan on featuring different tactics in their attack, Nashiro is pretty much a face first brawler, and one has to wonder if his 30-year old engine can still run effectively.
For the Thai champion, it will be his third consecutive trip to the land of the rising sun. Tepparith outpointed Daiki Kameda last December, then outgunned Tomonobu Shimizu over nine frames in April. Currently 20-2 (13KO), he sits on top of Bad Left Hook’s super flyweight rankings and has not loss in 17 fights.
Negotiations for Yota Sato vs. Tomoki Kameda break down
Plans to match Yota Sato and the youngest of the fighting Kameda brothers, Tomoki, were short-lived as negotiations broke down due to a conflict over venues. As the 21-year old Tomoki has fought much of his career in Mexico, his representatives requested that the bout take place there. Sato, on the other hand, has never performed outside of his homeland as a pro, and his team at Kyoei preferred to hold the fight in Japan.
In an interview with Osaka Hochi, Kameda stated that he was disappointed that an agreement could not be made, adding that he would take Sato on anywhere, including Japan. He also noted that he was told Sato had to fight an unspecified Thai challenger in his next bout.
The undefeated 23-year old (23-0, 15KO) has a match scheduled for next month in Japan, and may look to pursue the winner of Tepparith-Nashiro.
Information on Sato’s next defense is not available.
Amagasa retains national 126 title by UD
On Friday, Hisashi Amagasa successfully defended his domestic featherweight crown by outlasting Takuya Watanabe over ten rounds. According to Boxing Beat, the lanky beltholder appeared to have had a difficult time scoring effective blows as the challenger adopted a defensive strategy for the bout. Though he was credited with a knockdown in the initial stanza and built a steady lead over the first half of the fight, Amagasa (21-4-2, 15KO) lost steam in the home stretch, allowing Watanabe to go on the offensive. However, the light-punching challenger (15-4-1, 4KO) could not do enough as final tallies read 99-90, 97-92, 96-94.
It was Amagasa’s second defense of the title he won by stopping once beaten Toru Suzuki last December. The 26-year old also had his issues against journeyman Noriyuki Ueno this past April.
Kinoshita keeps crown by SD
On Saturday, southpaw Teiru Kinoshita started off well in his national super flyweight defense, dominating with speed and battering Atsushi Kakutani with right hooks and straight lefts early on. The unbeaten champ, however, faded late, and would eat several right hands by the challenger. Judges were split at the end of ten, two siding with the incumbent with scores of 97-94, while one judge had it 96-94 for Kakutani.
A quick, technical boxer, Kinoshita advanced to 15-0-1, 3KO.
And lastly, here’s a gallery of Kazuto Ioka at the debut screening of the new Naruto movie.
For more coverage of Japanese boxing, follow Sidney on Twitter: RingwalkNippon@Twitter