Weekly Asian boxing results (November 10th to November 16th)
(Photo by Edward Diller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The last week in Asian boxing has been an odd one. There wasn't any really big bouts, yet there was a lot of talking points, and a chance for lesser names to shine, with upsets, debuts and the continued emergence of two exciting Japanese fighters.
November 10th
Zhaoxin Zhang (8-1-1, 4) TKO1 Jianzheng Wang (9-1, 7)
In a bit of an upset, though not the biggest of the week, the unbeaten Jianzheng Wang was stopped inside a minute by Zhaoxin Zhang. The 32 year old Wang had been out of the ring for over a year and that may have played a part though it's hard to take anything away from Zhang, who has now scored 3 straight wins following a loss in January to Zulipikaer Maimaitiali
November 14th
Mercito Gesta (32-3-3, 17) TD6 Carlos Morales (19-4-4, 8)
In a mid-week bout fans saw 2-time world title challenger Mercito Gesta fight to a technical draw against the always testing Carlos Morales. The bout was an exciting one, with great back and forth, but a headclash in round 4 left Morales cut, and the cut forced the bout to be stopped at the end of round 6. Whilst the result wasn't great for either man the bout was fun and a rematch would make a lot of sense. Sadly this is Getsta's second set back this year, following a loss to Juan Antonio Rodriguez in March, but there does still appear to be life left in his career.
November 15th
Keita Kurihara (15-5, 13) TKO2 Sukpraserd Ponpitak (24-11, 16)
OPBF Bantamweight champion Keita Kurihara continued his impressive run of wins as he stopped world ranked Thai Sukpraserd Ponpitak, aka Sukkasem Kietyongyuth, in 2 rounds. On paper this was an interesting fight, but Kurihara's power ended up being too much for the Thai, who dropped part way through the second round and then stopped by a follow up attack. The plan now seems to be for Kurihara to move towards a world title fight, and a world title eliminator in 2020 wouldn't be out of the question.
Aso Ishiwaki (8-2-1, 6) TKO2 Ryuji Ikeda (14-7-3, 9)
Rising Japanese youngster Aso Ishiwaki, who is promoted by Nobuhiro Ishida, showed off his physicality as he stopped recent Japanese title challenger Ryuji Ikeda. The bout saw Ikeda being aggressive and letting his hands go, but it was the clean, accurate shots of Ishiwaki that did the damage and he scored 2 knockdowns in round 2 to force the referee to halt proceedings. Given it took Koki Inoue 5 rounds to stop Ikeda this is an excellent result for the 20 year old Ishiwaki who spoke about fighting for a Youth title in 2020.
Akihiro Kondo (32-9-1, 18) UD8 Tatsuya Yanagi (16-6-2, 6)
Former world title challenger Akihiro Kondo stopped the rot, and ended a 2 fight losing run as he over-came former sparring partner Tatsuya Yanagi. The talented Kondo has had a year to forget, losing to Apinun Khongsong in February and Andy Hiraoka in July, but took a clear decision here. Although Kondo was the favourite going in Yanagi is a live fighter on the Japanese scene and had gone unbeaten in his previous 6 coming into this bout.
Komgrich Nantapech (26-5, 17) TKO2 Wisitsak Saiwaew (6-10, 5)
Former world title challenger Komgrich Nantapech, aka Eaktawan BTU Ruawaiking, took his latest win as he stopped hapless countryman Wisitsak Saiwaew in 2 rounds. This was little more than a stay busy for Komgrich who ticked over more than anything. As for Wisitsak this was his third straight stoppage loss, and his 9th career stoppage defeat.
November 16th
Kenbati Haiyilao (6-2-1, 1) UD10 Nick Frese (10-1, 8)
I mentioned an upset earlier by a Chinese fighter, Zhaoxin Zhang, but that upset was dwarfed by the shock I had by Kenbati Haiyilao defeating the touted Thai based Dutchman Nick Frese. Haiyilao looked too big and too strong through out the bout, dropping Frese in round 8 en route to a clear 10 round decision. This is a major set back for Frese who was tipped very highly and a massive win for Haiyilao who can hopefully build on this victory.
Hasanboy Dusmatov (1-0, 1) TKO2 Jesus Cervantes Villanueva (9-8, 5)
Late on Saturday, in Mexico of all places, Uzbek amateur standout Hasanboy Dusmatov finally made his debut. The Uzbek, who had been linked to numerous interesting opponents including Carlos Canizales, ended up against Mexican teenager Jesus Cervantes Villanueva and really did as he pleased against a youngster who had no right being in the ring with the 2016 Olympic gold medal winner. Fingers crossed Dusmatov is moved aggressively in 2020 as he doesn't need bouts like this.