Okhello-Takahashi

CONN CHRIS · 03-19-2005, 10:35 PM

The OPBF Heavyweight fight is this Wednesday night. I have no idea what these guys are realy like, I suppose on paper Okhello should have the edge. Is anyone tuned into Japan for some reason? I am curious to know how big a deal this is over there.

I would imagine that if this Takahashi guy brings any sort of heavyweight title home to Japan (even a paper one), he will be a bigger national hero than Sadaharu Oh. Or is the OPBF HW belt viewed for what it is and even they aren't all that excited about it?

CONN CHRIS · 03-24-2005, 01:22 AM

....Well, so much for cheering in the streets of Tokoyo

meade95 · 03-24-2005, 04:58 PM

OKELLO KEEPS OPBF HEAVY BELT

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

March 23, 2005

TOKYO, JAPAN-WBC #32 ranked imported Ugandan Peter Okello (17-3, 16 KOs), 238.75, easily kept his OPBF heavyweight belt as he proved too powerful and pugnacious for Ryosuke Takahashi (13-4-1, 7 KOs), 204.75, Japan, stopping him at 2:45 of the third round on Wednesday in Tokyo, Japan. Takahashi was ballyhooed as the first Japanese boxer that had a shot at the OPBF heavy throne, but Okello?fs size and power nullified his dream of coronation. Takahashi started circling and jabbing to refuse mixing it up with the taller and heavier champ. Okello, as old as the challenger at 32, was in command with solid straight punches in the second despite Takahashi?fs retaliation with left hooks to the belly. The Ugandan, making his eighth defense, accelerated his attack and pinned him to the corner with a flurry of punches. Referee Ukrid Sarasas took a standing count against the battered Japanese, and asked him whether he would go on. The dazed challenger couldn?ft resume fighting, and the ref promptly called a halt. There will be no competitive challengers in the OPBF ratings except Aussie Kali Meehan, Peter?fs former sparring partner and good friend as well, who once scored a come-from-behind third-round KO win over Peter in 1999. Peter once executed a co-management contract with the late Bill Cayton and Steve Lott of New York, having lost a six-round to ex-IBF light heavy champ Imamu Mayfield in his US debut in Jersey City, NJ, in 2002. Despite the earnest persuasion of Lott and his trainer Nettles Naser, Peter, still under the contract, didn?ft return to New York only to campaign here in Japan.

It was a show in commemoration of ex-world champ Hideki Todaka?fs recent retirement. Todaka, 21-4-1, 10 KOs, captured the WBA 115-pound belt by defeating Jesus Kiki Rojas, Venezuela, on points in 1999, and seized the vacant interim WBA 118-pound title by edging out Venezuelan veteran Leo Gamez in a gruelling bout four years later. Todaka, a short give-and-take puncher, forfeited his second belt to Mexican footworker Julio Zarate by an upset decision in the previous year, which eventually became his last fight. He wishes to open his gym in Tokyo to cultivate young boxers.

Undercard:
Japanese #10 ranked 105-pounder Yasutaka Kuroki (9-3, 6 KOs), 109.25, exploded beautiful left hooks to finish Atsushi Mando (12-8, 2 KOs), 109.25, at 2:22 of the second round in a scheduled eight. The loser Mando is managed by Masahiko ?gFighting?h Harada, who appeared at the Hall for the first time since leaving hospital. He looked as fine and healthy as he had been.

Promoter: Midori Promotions.

03-19-2005, 10:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
CONN CHRIS Global Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 21,322	Okhello-Takahashi The OPBF Heavyweight fight is this Wednesday night. I have no idea what these guys are realy like, I suppose on paper Okhello should have the edge. Is anyone tuned into Japan for some reason? I am curious to know how big a deal this is over there. I would imagine that if this Takahashi guy brings any sort of heavyweight title home to Japan (even a paper one), he will be a bigger national hero than Sadaharu Oh. Or is the OPBF HW belt viewed for what it is and even they aren't all that excited about it? __________________ REC World Prizefighter Rankings

03-24-2005, 01:22 AM	#2 (permalink)
CONN CHRIS Global Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 21,322	....Well, so much for cheering in the streets of Tokoyo __________________ REC World Prizefighter Rankings

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03-24-2005, 04:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
meade95 All Star Starter Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,784	OKELLO KEEPS OPBF HEAVY BELT -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- March 23, 2005 TOKYO, JAPAN-WBC #32 ranked imported Ugandan Peter Okello (17-3, 16 KOs), 238.75, easily kept his OPBF heavyweight belt as he proved too powerful and pugnacious for Ryosuke Takahashi (13-4-1, 7 KOs), 204.75, Japan, stopping him at 2:45 of the third round on Wednesday in Tokyo, Japan. Takahashi was ballyhooed as the first Japanese boxer that had a shot at the OPBF heavy throne, but Okello?fs size and power nullified his dream of coronation. Takahashi started circling and jabbing to refuse mixing it up with the taller and heavier champ. Okello, as old as the challenger at 32, was in command with solid straight punches in the second despite Takahashi?fs retaliation with left hooks to the belly. The Ugandan, making his eighth defense, accelerated his attack and pinned him to the corner with a flurry of punches. Referee Ukrid Sarasas took a standing count against the battered Japanese, and asked him whether he would go on. The dazed challenger couldn?ft resume fighting, and the ref promptly called a halt. There will be no competitive challengers in the OPBF ratings except Aussie Kali Meehan, Peter?fs former sparring partner and good friend as well, who once scored a come-from-behind third-round KO win over Peter in 1999. Peter once executed a co-management contract with the late Bill Cayton and Steve Lott of New York, having lost a six-round to ex-IBF light heavy champ Imamu Mayfield in his US debut in Jersey City, NJ, in 2002. Despite the earnest persuasion of Lott and his trainer Nettles Naser, Peter, still under the contract, didn?ft return to New York only to campaign here in Japan. It was a show in commemoration of ex-world champ Hideki Todaka?fs recent retirement. Todaka, 21-4-1, 10 KOs, captured the WBA 115-pound belt by defeating Jesus Kiki Rojas, Venezuela, on points in 1999, and seized the vacant interim WBA 118-pound title by edging out Venezuelan veteran Leo Gamez in a gruelling bout four years later. Todaka, a short give-and-take puncher, forfeited his second belt to Mexican footworker Julio Zarate by an upset decision in the previous year, which eventually became his last fight. He wishes to open his gym in Tokyo to cultivate young boxers. Undercard: Japanese #10 ranked 105-pounder Yasutaka Kuroki (9-3, 6 KOs), 109.25, exploded beautiful left hooks to finish Atsushi Mando (12-8, 2 KOs), 109.25, at 2:22 of the second round in a scheduled eight. The loser Mando is managed by Masahiko ?gFighting?h Harada, who appeared at the Hall for the first time since leaving hospital. He looked as fine and healthy as he had been. Promoter: Midori Promotions.