Takemoto gets up off the canvas to take victory
Earlier today in Kochi fight fans saw 2018 All Japan Rookie of the Year winner Yuri Takemoto (8-1-1, 4) [竹本雄利] score his latest win, though he really had to dig deep for it.
The talented Takemoto was up against the limited Yoshiyuki Takabayashi (9-11-1, 4) [高林良幸],and on paper this looked like an easy win. In reality though Takemoto did not have things all his own way. Instead he had to pull himself off the canvas to take the victory, and he really did need to rely on his skills to take the win.
Takemoto looked to set the pace but was dropped in round 2 by Takabayashi, the first time he had been down in his career. The knockdown seemed to spur on Takabayashi but he was cut from a clash of heads and Takemoto began to find his rhythm, controlling the action behind his jab. That was his key and although Takabayashi continued to try and press he was unable to secure a second knockdown.
Takabayashi's cut would worsen and in round 6 he was stopped by the doctor. That saw us go to the scorecards, and all 3 judges scored it 58-55 to Takemoto.
Despite the bad start Takemoto showed his toughness and his skills and answered some real questions with this win.
The talented Takemoto was up against the limited Yoshiyuki Takabayashi (9-11-1, 4) [高林良幸],and on paper this looked like an easy win. In reality though Takemoto did not have things all his own way. Instead he had to pull himself off the canvas to take the victory, and he really did need to rely on his skills to take the win.
Takemoto looked to set the pace but was dropped in round 2 by Takabayashi, the first time he had been down in his career. The knockdown seemed to spur on Takabayashi but he was cut from a clash of heads and Takemoto began to find his rhythm, controlling the action behind his jab. That was his key and although Takabayashi continued to try and press he was unable to secure a second knockdown.
Takabayashi's cut would worsen and in round 6 he was stopped by the doctor. That saw us go to the scorecards, and all 3 judges scored it 58-55 to Takemoto.
Despite the bad start Takemoto showed his toughness and his skills and answered some real questions with this win.