Antonio Gomez ~ "El Leon de Cumana"

[Bill Paxtom]

July 1, 1971

~ Shozo Saijo To Take On Mexico's Ray Vega In A Non-Title Bout ~

WBA Featherweight Champion - Shozo Siajo will take on Ray Vega in a 10-Round
'non-title' over-the-weight bout.

The 24 year-old Shozo Saijo has a record of 28-6-1 with {8 KO's}, and the WBA Featherweight
Champion is a tenacious fighter.

The 27 year-old Ray Vega comes in with a record of 40-9-1 with {23 KO's}, and has
a reputation as a 'big' right-hand swinger.

The WBA Featherweight Champion is under pressure to sign and defend his Crown
against #1 WBA-ranked - Antonio Gomez.
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~ Shozo Saijo Pounds Out Decision Over Mexico's Ray Vega ~

WBA Featherweight Champion - Shozo Saijo scored a 10-Round Unanimous Decision over
Mexican Super-Featherweight Ray Vega in a 10-Round 'non-title' bout.

The 24 year-old Shozo Saijo of Japan {131 lbs.} used a variety of left-jabs and right-hand leads to
the head of the tough Mexican, to defeat the visitor in a 'brisk bout'.

The 27 year-old Ray Vega {129 3/4 lbs.} came in with a reputation as a big right-hand swinger,
but the Mexican was unable to deliver his 'famed' right-hand without any regularity.

Vega was effective during the first 2-Rounds, as he got in close on Shozo and scored on the
inside with good 'left-right' combinations. But starting in Round 3, Vega soon found himself getting
out-boxed from the faster Champion.

Shozo picked up the pace in Round 3, and swept the next '4' Rounds by scoring with lightning
quick attacks, that had the Mexican visitor swatting-at-a-swarm-of-bees.

With the bout well-in-hand, and starting in Round 7, Shozo boxed safely and from the outside
as the Mexican attempted to go for the Knockout with 'wide' right-hand swings.

The action was fairly 'even' during Rounds 7 thru 10.

There were no knockdowns in the bout.

Scorecards >
* 48-45 > {5-2-3} = Shozo Saijo
* 49-46 > {4-1-5} = Shozo Saijo
* 49-44 > {4-1-5} = Shozo Saijo