Boxing In Japan: Hasegawa, Aoh Win WBC Title Fights

This past Thursday saw two big WBC title fights at separate venues, with one belt changing hands and one staying with its owner.

At The World Memorial Hall in Kobe, hometown hero and reigning WBC Bantamweight Champion Hozumi Hasegawa, 26-2 (10), crushed South African challenger Vusi Malinga, 18-3-1 (11), in the very first round.

It was the eighth consecutive title defense by Hasegawa, who won the WBC crown by dethroning longtime champion Veeraphol Sahaprom of Thailand in April, 2005.

On the undercard in Kobe, light welters Koji Samejima, 16-3-2 (6), and Yukuse Doi, 8-11-2 (5), fought to an eight draw while former WBC Minimumweight titlist Katsunari Takayama, 23-3 (9), swept an eight rounder against Romart Sentillas, 6-3 (4).

At the legendary Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, local featherweight southpaw Takahiro Aoh, 17-1-1 (8), avenged his split decision loss to WBC Featherweight Champion Oscar Larios, 63-7-1 (39), last October by widely outpointing the Mexican over 12 rounds to take the WBC belt.

In other action at Korakuen Hall, super flyweight Jesus Jimenez, 24-5 (17), knocked out Jojo Bardon, 20-14-1 (9), in the first round.