Weekly Asian Boxing Results (January 26th to February 1st)
(Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
After a worryingly quiet week last week, so quiet in fact that there was no point even looking at the results for the week, we had a big increase in action over the last 7 days.
January 26th-
Boonrueang Phayom (7-0, 7) TKO7 Adam Wijaya (3-6)
The week kicked off with a small show in Thailand, and whilst there wasn't much to talk about I was interested to see 20 year old Bantamweight Boonrueang Phayom scored his 7th straight stoppage, as he stopped Indonesian fighter Adam Wijaya. This was the first time the Thai had been past 3 rounds and whilst he did pick up the win there are now real questions over his potential. The fact Wijaya lasted 7 rounds is pretty interested given Toshiya Ishi stopped him in 2 last April. Boonrueang may be one to watch longer term, but this did more harm than good, despite extending his perfect record.
January 27th-
Ikuro Sadatsune (11-4-3, 4) SD8 Naoto Fujimoto (12-11-1, 6)
The under-rated Ikuro Sadatsune picked up his latest win as he over-came Naoto Fujimoto. Although on paper this was a mismatch the rugged Fujimoto is no push over, and when you tend to see Japanese domestic fighters with 50-50 type records it's a good sign that they have been matched hard. Sadatsune narrowly squeaked the win in a very hotly contest and high paced battle as he netted his second straight win. Aged 28 Fujimoto is likely remain a domestic level gatekeeper, but given his toughness and work rate he will be an in demand fighter at this level.
Yumi Narita (4-4-3, 1) UD6 Yumiko Shimooka (4-8, 1)
Yumi Narita made it a repeat as she took her second win over Yumiko Shimooka, and claimed the Japanese female Minimumweight title. These two clashed in a close and competitive bout back in 2018, but this time the action was pretty much all one sided, with Narita being too good from the first round to the last. Whilst the Japanese domestic female title scene isn't the best it is an interesting experiment that could well help build future world champions, as it did with Miyo Yoshida, however Narita doesn't have the talent or time to go to the top.
January 28th-
Etsuko Tada (19-3-3, 6) D10 (Split) Ayaka Miyao (23-8-2, 6)
On the subject of female world title fights we did actually get one of those during the week, as Etsuko Tada and Ayaka Miyao battled for the vacant WBO female Minimumweight title. This was enthralling with Tada being the more rugged and stronger fighter and Miyao the quicker fighter. The styles matched well, though being honest I wasn't a fan of the decision, which was a split draw. To me Miyao's speed and volume were more telling than Tada's single shots, and through the bout it was more and more apparent that Tada can no longer pull the trigger like she could during her prime. As a result of the draw the title remain vacant.
Kazuki Nakajima (8-0-1, 7) D8 (Majority) Seiya Tsutsumi (5-0-1, 4)
Another questionable decision came in the final of the God's Left Bantamweight tournament as Kazuki Nakajima and Seiya Tsutsumi fought to a very dubious draw. Tsutsumi went in with a game plan to frustrate and confuse Nakajima, using a lot of movement and feints to leave Nakajima unsure of himself. It worked like a charm and after 3 rounds he was in control. The bout began to get more competitive, though it seemed like Tsutsumi easily did more than enough to claim 2 of the last 5 rounds. Despite the bout being ruled a draw Nakajima did get the tournament win on a tie break, the "majority point rule", making this a double frustrating experience for Tsutumi.
January 29th-
Murodjon Akhmadaliev (8-0, 6) SD12 Daniel Roman (27-3-1, 10)
Unbeaten Uzbek Murodjon Akhmadaliev announced himself on the world stage, defeating Daniel Roman in a truly fantastic fight. This wasn't all action, but it didn't need to be all action to be a fantastic bout, as both showed high level skills, with aggressive mentalities and a gritty toughness. Both men had some moment in what was a very hotly contested bout. Akhmadaliev seemed to take the early lead, landing heavy shots and out boxing Roman, who came on strong with his body shots at the bout went on. Both man had to show resolve through out as the moment shifted. In the end Akhmadaliev did just enough to take the win, though made things closer than they needed to be with a bizarre effort in the final round. With the win the Uzbek becomes the IBF and WBA "super" Super Bantamweight champion, in just his 8th professional bout.
Jade Bornea (15-0, 10) SD10 Ernesto Delgadillo (11-1-2, 2)
Another close bout saw unbeaten Filipino Jade Bornea, who actually holds an amateur win over Murodjon Akhmadaliev, take a close decision over Ernesto Delgadillo for the NABF Super Flyweight title.. This was a competitive bout from start to end, but it did feel like Bornea deserved the victory. Regardless of the win the Filipino will need to improve drastically if he's to reach the top of the sport. As for Delgadillo, being out of the ring since an April 2018 win didn't help him here, and hopefully the man from Texas will kick on, despite the loss.
February 1st-
Keita Obara (23-4-1, 21) TKO7 Yuki Nagano (17-3, 13)
Former world title challenger Keita Obara became a 2-weight Japanese national champion as he broke down, and stopped, Yuki Nagano in the first Champion Carnival bout of 2020. The hard hitting Obara boxed excellently against the rugged pressure of Nagano, dropping him in the 2nd round, and having him all over the place in rounds 3 and 5. Credit goes to Nagano for surviving into round 7 but the stoppage was inevitable.
Hiroto Yashiro (2-0, 2) KO3 Abdul Rauf (1-3)
Japanese prospect Hiroto Yashiro made his TV debut with a solid exhibition of body punching as he dominated tough Indonesian Abdul Rauf. Yashiro is related to former Japanese Super Featherweight champion Yoshimitsu Yashiro and it's clear that boxing runs in the family. This was a fantastic show case of Yashiro's potential, but Rauf did offer little in terms of offense and return fire.
Kenshi Noda (2-0, 2) KO1 Thomas Tope Hurek (2-4-1, 1)
Former Japanese amateur standout Kenshi Noda did what he was supposed to do and dominated the over-matched Thomas Tope Hurek in a clear mismatch. This was little more than a show case for Noda, who was making his TV debut. Hurek has now been stopped in 3 of his last 4, and he's a perfect example of why the JBC will be changing their rules on which Indonesian fighters will be allowed to fight in Japan. Without trying to be overly harsh he was there to fall over the first time things go tough.
Alphoe Dagayloan (14-3-6, 5) D (Majority) Carlo Caesar Penalosa (14-2-1, 7)
In an entertaining and close bout Alphoe Dagayloan was unfortunate to be held to a draw against Carlo Caesar Penalosa. It seemed like the harder working Dagayloan deserved the decision but the "Penalosa" name likely bailed out Penalosa who was lucky to not have successive defeats on his record. Although Dagayloan isn't a particularly tidy fighter he's aggressive, strong and rough, a real nightmare. Penalosa on the other hand is a wonderful natural talent, but appears to dislike pressure and being forced to work at a high tempo.
Rustam Tulaganov (3-0, 1) UD8 Norbert Dabrowski (23-9-2, 10)
Unbeaten Uzbek hopeful Rustam Tulaganov took a clear step up in class and easily out boxed Polish veteran Norbert Dabrowski. This was a methodical and effective performance from the Uzbek fighter who showed touches of real class but does still have a lot of questions to answer. Hopefully another step up later in the year will see Tulaganov fight in his first title fight and fight in 10 and 12 rounders. He was an excellent amateur and given his performance here it's clear he's good enough to be fast tracked.
Ulugbek Mubinov (1-0, 1) TKO3 Srdan Govedarica (7-9, 6)
Uzbek Heavyweight Ulugbek Mubinov made a successful debut in what was a messy affair with the tall, but frankly awful, Srdan Govedarica. Mubinov, who shorter than the listed 6'4", was aggressive through out but the reality was the reality is that Govedarica didn't want to be there and was looking for a way out early on. He was caught by a clubbing rabbit punch in the clinch and found a way to bail out of the bout.
Odiljon Aslonov (2-0, 1) vs Dzimitry Atrokhau (16-7, 7)
Powerfully built Uzbek prospect Odiljon Aslonov took a clear decision over Dzimitry Atrokhau. The very strong looking Aslonov was the boss through out and clearly looks like one to watch. Given he only debuted in December the 24 year old certainly looks like a promising fighter, but may be a tough raw around the edges at the moment and certainly needs some polishing before he steps up too much. If he can get the training he needs he could be a real monster in the coming years, but will need to tighten up defensively when he steps up.
Pedro Taduran (14-2-1, 11) TD4 Daniel Valladares (22-1-1, 13)
The final bout of the week for Asian fighters came in Mexico on Saturday night, when Pedro Taduran and Daniel Valladares went to war in a bout for the IBF Minimumweight title. Taduran was making his first defense of the title, and set the usual high pace we see from him. Sadly a headclash in the opening round left Valladares badly cunt, and the bout looking like it was going to be stopped sooner or later. At the end of round 4 the bout was halted due to the cut and we went to the scorecards. Thankfully for Taduran his reign is extended on the back of a technical draw, which was a fair result in a very exciting brawl. Rounds 3 and 4 of this were brilliant and well worth a watch for fans who missed it.