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kenyan_cheena · 08-02-2008, 01:21 AM

A MAGICAL NIGHT IN OSAKA

Saturday 19 October 2002

With International Boxing League Chief Director James Molk watching at ringside, tonight's Osaka Dome Welterweight fight card was a near perfect one for the quartet of Japanese fighters on show. 20 year-old Hiroki Gushiken improved to 2-0 with a convincing unanimous decision win over his talented Filipino opponent Emmanuel Torres in the main event (58-56, 59-55, 58-56) while earlier in the evening Akio Kameda and Jiro Suzuki were both victorious before Shoji Ohashi was held to a draw by the tough Thailander Saman Sukothai in the co-feature.

Surprisingly, Molk was making his first visit to Japan and had said during the week that he was "looking forward to experiencing the atmosphere of a Japanese fight card". Afterwards he confirmed that it had exceeded his expectations, the IBL's boss heaping praise upon the enthusiasm and support that the crowd had shown for their local fighters.

"All the way through the early months of the HBF's tournaments I was amazed at the crowds in Japan," he said. "Just from watching on the television you could feel their love and passion for the sport of boxing. Now to have experienced that in person, all I can say is "Wow". This was an incredible night and I just know that with this kind of support behind them our Japanese competitors are going to go far in the IBL."

08-02-2008, 01:21 AM	#614 (permalink)
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 4,631	A MAGICAL NIGHT IN OSAKA Saturday 19 October 2002 With International Boxing League Chief Director James Molk watching at ringside, tonight's Osaka Dome Welterweight fight card was a near perfect one for the quartet of Japanese fighters on show. 20 year-old Hiroki Gushiken improved to 2-0 with a convincing unanimous decision win over his talented Filipino opponent Emmanuel Torres in the main event (58-56, 59-55, 58-56) while earlier in the evening Akio Kameda and Jiro Suzuki were both victorious before Shoji Ohashi was held to a draw by the tough Thailander Saman Sukothai in the co-feature. Surprisingly, Molk was making his first visit to Japan and had said during the week that he was "looking forward to experiencing the atmosphere of a Japanese fight card". Afterwards he confirmed that it had exceeded his expectations, the IBL's boss heaping praise upon the enthusiasm and support that the crowd had shown for their local fighters. "All the way through the early months of the HBF's tournaments I was amazed at the crowds in Japan," he said. "Just from watching on the television you could feel their love and passion for the sport of boxing. Now to have experienced that in person, all I can say is "Wow". This was an incredible night and I just know that with this kind of support behind them our Japanese competitors are going to go far in the IBL." __________________ MLB: 1958 and Beyond... The Greatest Prize in Sports