Weekly Asian boxing results (October 21st to October 26th)
Photo credit should read LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP/Getty Images)
This past week has been a really interesting one for Asian fighters, with world title bouts, regional title bouts, prospects, title eliminators and a lot more. A really interesting week with a lot to catch up on!
October 20th
Cotabato del Sur, Philippines
Randy Petalcorin (31-3-1, 23) UD8 Reymark Taday (9-11-1, 4)
Former world title challenger Randy Petalcorin scored his second win since being taken out by Felix Alvarado almost a year ago in an IBF title fight. The talented Filipino was surprisingly forced to go the scheduled 8 rounds against countryman Reymark Taday, who had been stopped in both of his last 2 bouts. This was a good chance to shake some ring rust but a disappointing result for Petalcorin.
Dave Apolinario (12-0, 7) TKO1 Arnold Garde (10-9-3, 4)
The talented Dave Apolinario did what was expected of him in blasting through Arnold Garde, who suffered his 7th stoppage loss. Apolinario is one of the best prospects in the Philippines and someone I'm a big fan of, but bouts like this do little more than pad his record when his team should be looking to develop him. This was very much a step backwards after good wins over Adrian Lerasan and Romshane Sarguilla earlier in the year.
October 21st
Tokyo, Japan
Yusuke Sakashita (19-8-3, 14) TKO10 Naoki Mochizuki (16-5, 8)
Japan's Yusuke Sakashita made his first defense of the WBO Asia Pacific Flyweight title with a 10th round come from behind TKO win against Naoki Mochizuki in what was a genuinely entertaining little bout. These two had met a few years ago, with Mochizuki taking a wide decision over Sakashita, and looked to be on his way to another decision here, but his gas tank ran out and he was dropped in a very exciting 10th round.
Daishi Nagata (14-2-1, 5) UD8 Cristiano Aoqui (15-8-2, 10)
The often entertaining Daishi Nagata secured the biggest win of his career as he out-pointed Japanese-Brazilian Cristiano Aoqui in a Japanese title eliminator at 140lbs. Nagata used his more refined skills to out point the under-rated, and often explosive, Aoqui, who struggled to get into the bout early on. Aoqui did put up a good effort late but was in a hole by the point and did too little too late.
Kyotaro Fujimoto (21-1, 13) TKO6 Suthat Kalalek (13-11, 12)
Japanese Heavyweight, yes they do exist, took his second win over blown up Thai Suthat Kalalek, aka Kajornsak Sithsaithong. These two fought in 2018, with Kyotaro stopping the Thai to retain a couple of regional titles. This time around there was no silverware on the line but another win for Kyotaro. This was a legitimately weird one with the Thai going down without being punched at the start of round 6 and then being stopped later in the same round.
October 24th
California, USA
Elwin Soto (16-1, 11) UD12 Edward Heno (14-1-5, 5)
Filipino fighter Edward Heno put up a legitimately impressive performance on his US debut as he narrowly lost to WBO Light Flyweight champion Elwin Soto. Heno looked fantastic at times, using his boxing brain, skills, movement and accurate punching to shine in the middle rounds. Sadly though he would come up short in the later rounds as Soto's heavy body shots took a tool and slowed down the Pinoy. Despite the loss Heno's profile had grown and he may well find himself in another title fight sooner rather than later given this performance.
October 25th
Chonburi, Thailand
Wanheng Menayothin (54-0, 18) UD12 Simpiwe Konkco (19-6-0-1, 7)
WBC Minimumweight champion Wanheng Menayothin recorded his latest win and moved to 54-0 in what was one of his best performance. The Thai, who has now defended his title 12 times, looked like he was there to prove a point and easily out boxed Konkco, who was expected to be a real challenge. Wanheng shut down Konkco's offense and did as he pleased through out the 12 round contest. Next time out it seems that Wanheng will be in the US, and on the back of this performance the 34 year old still has a lot to give.
Quebec, Canada
Sadriddin Akhmedov (10-0, 9) TKO7 Johnny Navarrete (33-16-2, 15)
Fast rising Kazakh prospect Sadriddin Akhmedov became only the 5th man to stop tough Mexican Johnny Navarrete, who retired in his corner after 7 rounds. Akhmedov, who hasn't fought in a few months, seemed to use the bout as a chance to shake some ring rust and have a good work out, boxing off the back foot through out. The tactics were different to what we've seen from the heavy handed youngster youngster in the past, but he looked really good and genuinely needed some rounds so it's hard to complain about how he fought here. A real talent and one to watch for 2020.
October 26th
Tokyo, Japan
Kyosuke Sawada (14-2-1, 6) UD8 Kazuki Tanaka (11-3, 8)
The in form Kyosuke Sawada secured himself a Japanese Bantamweight title fight next year thanks to an excellent performance against the once touted Kazuki Tanaka. Sawada over-came a slow start to take the victory here, but really had to dig for it in what was certainly not a gimme. Notably Sawada has rebuilt from losses in his first 2 bouts, and this win over Tanaka secures him a bout with Japanese Bantamweight champion Yusuke Suzuki, the man who actually beat Sawada on Sawada's debut.
Hinata Maruta (10-1-1, 8) TKO3 Takenori Ohashi (17-6-2, 11)
The much touted Hinata Maruta secured his first Japanese title shot as he beat former Japanese Featherweight champion Takenori Ohashi in 3 rounds. Ohashi was completely unable to deal with Maruta here. The former champion was dropped in the opening round, bloodied up and then stopped by the doctor in round 3, with a huge cut across the bridge of his nose. The win secures Maruta a shot at the Japanese Featherweight title next year, but really leaves Ohashi's career with big questions hanging over it and he may well be thinking about hanging them up now.
Izuki Tomioka (7-2-1, 2) UD8 Kazuki Saito (7-2, 5)
Talented and slippery youngster Izuki Tomioka secured himself a win over former amateur standout Kazuki Saito in a very mature and smart performance. Tomioka, who really lacks power, used his skills and size to neutralise Saito and rack up the points. To his credit Saito never gave up, but was clearly second best here against a young fighter who has learned from his set backs. It's hard to imagine Tomioka beating Japanese champion Shuichiro Yoshino next year, at the Champion Carnival, but he has the style to give the champion fits.
Keita Obara (22-4-1, 20) TKO4 Toshiro Tarumi (12-4-3, 6)
The hard hitting Keita Obara, who is best known for spectacular losses to Eduardo Troyanovsky and Alvin Lagumbay, secured himself a shot at the Japanese Welterweight title thanks to a KO win over Toshiro Tarumi. Obara was put on the back foot by Tarumi, but in the end his power was too much for Tarumi who was dropped twice in round 4. This win sets Obara up with a bout against Yuki Nagano for the national title, and a win there would see Obara become a 2-weight national champion after a short reign as the Light Champion earlier in his career.
Almaty, Kazakhstan
Kanat Islam (27-0, 21) UD10 Walter Kautondokwa (18-2, 17)
Unbeaten Kazakh Kanat Islam over-came a broken hand to take a decision win over Walter Kautondokwa. Islam looked fantastic at times in the first half of the bout, but was struggling badly late on and was lucky that the bout was only over 10 rounds. Islam scored a knockdown in round 5 and on my card that was the difference between the two men, though the judges had this looking like an easy win for Islam. Given the broken hand Islam will be out for some time, and had previously been plagued by injuries, so there is a chance he will call it a day. If he continues it's really hard to imagine Islam making any sort of a mark at world class, and he'd be easy pickings for any of the top Middleweights.