Seiya Tsutsumi (center) became the new champion after defeating Takuma Inoue by decision at Ariake Arena on the 13th (Photo by Yasumasa Toda)
Four world boxing matches were held at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo on the 13th, and in the World Boxing Association (WBA) bantamweight title match, challenger Seiya Tsutsumi (Kakuebi Jewelry) judged champion Takuma Inoue (Ohashi). the new champion.
In a World Boxing Council (WBC) flyweight decider, Kenshiro Teraji (BMB) defeated Christopher Rosales (Nicaragua) by TKO 6 seconds into the 11th round, making him the lightweight champion.
In the World Boxing Organization (WBO) light flyweight decider, Shokichi Iwata (Teiken) defeated Jairo Noriega (Spain) by TKO in the 3rd round and 3 minutes, becoming the new world champion in his second challenge. WBA flyweight champion Yuri Seigo Akui (Kurashiki Moriyasu) defeated Thananchai Charunpak (Thailand) by a 2-1 decision. He successfully defended his title for the second time.
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◆ Revenge on the victory of the whole school team: “I came this moment”
When the final bell rang, both men leaned against the ropes. I was exhausted. Tsutsumi’s tenacity, who had devoted his life to this game, made the fight fiercer. Verdict 3-0. Dismissing the negative reviews, the competitor fulfilled Taku Inoue’s revenge after 13 years.
“I came here this day, this moment. I lived it. I can’t believe it.” With a face covered in blood and tears, he tasted her victory.
Takuma Inoue and Seiya Tsutsumi strike out in the 6th inning at Ariake Arena on the 13th (Photo by Yasumasa Toda)
In 2012, when they were in their second year of high school, they played against each other in the semi-finals of the high school competition and lost. “It was like a lump that stayed in my chest for a long time,” he said after graduating from university, turning professional and chasing Taku Inoue, who was the age same as him. Twelve years have passed since that day, and the rematch has finally arrived.
From the beginning, he held his soul in his fist. Hit after hit, hit after hit. The attacks don’t stop. It’s okay if it’s ungainly. Tsutsumi’s spirit opens a hole in the champion’s iron-clad defense. In the 10th round, he landed a left hook to the ropes and knocked him down.
He defeated Taku Inoue, who was chasing him for his unrequited love, and won the world title in his first attempt. “Because of him, I became stronger. Because of him, I was able to stand on this stage. It is grace that saved my life.”
On this day, Iwata, who is in the same grade, won the world title, and Yuri Akui managed to defend the title. A smaller member of the “1995” generation, which is full of good athletes, wore a shining belt. (Masanori Moriai)
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◆Taku Inoue: “My opponent was better mentally.”
When the decision to lose the belt was announced, Taku Inoue put his hands together and apologized to the audience. After failing in the third defense, he hung his head and said, “My opponent had the upper hand emotionally.”
Takuma Inoue (back) and Seiya Tsutsumi praise each other’s good performance after the match at Ariake Arena on the 13th (Photo by Yasumasa Toda)
In the early stages, he showed his defensive skills. Gradually, however, Tsutsumi’s tenacity got the better of him and he grudgingly admitted defeat, saying, “My opponent’s speed was his.”
His goal of a unification match against fellow WBC champion Junto Nakatani (MT) was scrapped. As for his future, he could only say out loud, “I want to take a good break and then think about it.”
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◆“New Kenshiro, Chapter 2” Terachi smiles after a TKO victory
Terachi, who had increased in width, was strong. Superior in speed and power, he won by TKO in the 11th round in the final. He won in the second weight class after the light flyweight division. Although the match ended without any danger, he said in the ring, “For the time being, I was relieved. Actually, I was very nervous.”
Kenshiro Terachi strikes out Christopher Rosales㊨ in the 4th inning at Ariake Arena on the 13th (Photo by Yasumasa Toda)
I used my legs to bounce. He took quick steps and landed heavy punches on Rosales, gaining control. In the third inning, he walked with a righty counter. Enough to inspire fear. From this point on, the time for the opponent to carry the rope on his back increased. Even when they are defending, they move and don’t let you reduce your target. In the 11th inning, the referee stopped the game because the opponent’s nose would not stop bleeding.
It has been January since he had an operation on his right fist. During this time, he has spent a lot of time adapting to the flyweight division. A complete change from the light flyweight division, where there were many exchanges, he skillfully missed his opponent’s attacks while landing accurate punches. Even after the game, she looked nice and joked, “Actually, I wish I could beat him, but I think I wasn’t as nervous as usual.”
The goal is to unify the four undefeated groups in the lightweight division. The world champion, free from the weight loss he had been struggling with, was active in the ring and swore with a smile. “I want to show you the second chapter of the new Kenshiro.” My dreams are only expanding. (Yohei Maruyama)
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◆ Iwata challenges his Yabuki classmates, “Japanese people get excited together”
He thrilled the audience with his powerful punches. Iwata won by TKO in the third round in the final. When he became his first world champion, he said with a relaxed smile, “It’s my dream since I was a child. I’m very happy.”
Shokichi Iwata strikes out Jairo Noriega in the third inning at Ariake Arena on the 13th (Photo by Yasumasa Toda)
Noriega, who was swinging his punches with great force, gave him trouble early on. Still, he was struck down by a right-hander in the third inning. With less than 10 seconds left, he made a quick move and sealed the fight with a left hook.
Two years ago, I lost by decision in my first world challenge. After he got banned, “it changed the way I approach boxing and my training”. A talented student who won the national high school championship in his third year at Hiji High School (currently Meguro Nihon University High School) in Tokyo. He swallowed his pride and put forward his sense of understanding to determine the outcome of the contest.
In the ring after the match, he challenged another International Boxing Federation (IBF) champion Masamichi Yabuki (LUSH Midori). “The Japanese people will be excited if they understand this.” He didn’t let the lingering emotion get the better of him and quickly showed his desire to be a unified champion. (Yohei Maruyama)
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