Taniguchi Stops Absede in 5; Japan Goes 3 for 5 in Korea

Jaysever Abcede.

On the day former world light flyweight champion Hiroto Kyoguchi was upset by Filipino rival Vince Paras, another Japanese ex world titlist Masataka Takayama gained some measure of revenge by stopping Jaysever Abcede in the fifth round of their 8 round bout.

But overall, Japanese fighters just won three of their five bouts in the promotional card organized by the Treasure Boxing Promotion held at the Paradise City in Incheon, South Korea.

Aside from Kyoguchi, Kazuto Takekato lost his OPBF middleweight title by split decision to India-born Australian Tej Pratap Singh.

Takayama who had previously lost in title bouts to Filipinos Vic Saludar and Melvin Jerusalem, won't be denied of TKO victory over former OPBF titlist Abcede whom he floored twice in the fifth round prompting the referee to stop the bout.

It was Takayama's second straight win since coming back from losing his WBO minimumweight crown by 2nd round knockout to Jerusalem last year.

The other Japanese winners were Shion Torii and Ryuya Moriai who decisioned their South Korean opponents in the preliminary bouts.

The holding of this Japanese boxing promotion in South Korea has been bitterly criticized in Japan particularly with Kyoguchi losing by controversial unanimous decision to his past world title defense victim, Paras.

The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477.