Tanongsak Simsri Def. Christian Araneta
The part of the TV range from the Japanese card is Thanongsak Simsri, who gets the vacant IBF lightweight title with Philippine contender Cristian Araneta. Thailand Simsri has travelled to Japan several times and has had a huge success on the road unless two-time world champion Masamuchi Yabuki eliminates the knockout round.
As far as Araneta is concerned, Araneta has competed twice in the World Championship knockout round, although he has not succeeded in these attempts. Although this is the smaller of the two, Simsri established his own scope from the outset, working Araneta in the early rounds. The Filipino found his moments to take advantage of Simsri’s overconfidence. However, at the end of the third round, a huge counter left by Araneta spread the Thai language on.
Araneta ended up with the strong, secured Simsri to the ropes and landed a few clean blows. Now, with Simsri being discarded and both men were deeply cut in their eyes, the battle fell into a clear rhythm.
Araneta exerted his body on the larger man, picked his shooting and landed his tough South paw on Simsri. However, for most rounds, Simsri landed more volume, cut angles on Araneta and was busy outside.
The scorecard reflects the competitive nature of the battle as Simsri reluctantly made a split decision to become the world champion and achieved the biggest victory of his career. This must have been a very frustrating result for Araneta. Now, he lost to the resume’s three best fighters, and if he could only find more steps throughout the process, this result seemed to be avoidable.
Reiya Abe Def. Yuya Oku
Next on the card is the classic veteran of the Japanese lightweight champion against potential players, seeing experienced Southpaw Reiya Abe Square compared to unbeaten prospect Yuya Oku.
Shows excellent footwork from the start, sliding in and out of range within a random range, usually avoiding any counters of the OKU. Oku found more readings as the battle went on, occasionally timing the veterans’ head movements, but Oku’s pressure was largely discouraged by Abe’s smooth movements and his stinging left hand.
His work rate is consistent in terms of action and combination. Oku tried his best to join the battle, but by the end of the ten rounds, the damage had obviously accumulated.
It’s a truly impressive, cage-based veteran performance from Shinzo Abe who continues to make a comeback after suffering a brutal knockout to Luis Alberto Lopez in 2024. As for Yuya Oku, it is a great struggle for learning. As the battle progressed, his progress improved greatly, and I’m sure he would continue to get better at the domestic level of Japan.
Sora Tanaka Def. Takeru Kobata
In the joint home game, Japanese amateur champion Sora Tanaka continued his campaign against domestic talent Takeru Kobata. Tanaka is a full-blown fighter, marching at his enemies, throwing power shots, and paying little attention to defense.
Despite being a short boxer, Tanaka placed Kobata on the ropes from the beginning. He hit his core with the power of each shot, but Kobata also had no problem finding a chance to crack Tanaka’s prospects.
The battle lasted only four rounds, but honestly, Kobata absorbed crazy damage throughout the game, so it could survive well. There was hardly a dull moment when both of them stood in their pockets and handed the clock to Bell.
It was a little disappointing when the shutdown came as Kobata stood at his feet all the time and he just swayed Tanaka, but the battle was pure action and one of my favorite fights of the year. I don’t know Tanaka has promoted Tennac to the rankings with his all-round style, but I’ll be there to see every step he takes.
Brian Norman Jr. Jin Sasaki
Finally, in the main event, another Japanese offensive Dynamo Jin Sasaki, challenged the most skilled Brian Norman Jr., his WBO middleweight title. Norman clearly shows that there is a gap between the two drops of the hometown heroes twice in the first round almost immediately.
Sasaki is barely threatened, Norman is under pressure, but his signature power has little effect on the championship. Sasaki is still very good at forcing his own battle, still staying on Norman’s face despite constant damage.
Many people will wither, but Sasakie has never done it. Norman remained the same throughout the battle, and it seemed like he wouldn’t be swaying whenever Sasaki introduced them.
In the fifth round, everything collapsed. When Sasaki retreated after landing on the corpse, Norman lowered a clean left hook, causing the Japanese fighter to fall off in the instant knockout match of the best contender of the year. This is a major defense of his title at Norman’s young champion.
For Sasaki, these scenes are worrying, and Sasaki needs to be bounced away. He showed a huge fighting spirit, but his corner should probably drive him out of the damage Norman did to him. Anyway, this battle is a very interesting mid-week card with an incredible peak.
Last updated on June 19, 2010
