Kikuchi claims Japanese title, former WBA champion Furukawa upset!
Earlier today boxing fans at Korakuen Hall had the chance to see a new Japanese female Bantamweight champion being as 35 year old Makoto Kikuchi (2-1, 1) [菊池真琴] took a decision over Marina Sayama (4-4-1, 2) [佐山万里菜] to claim the previously vacant title.
Kikuchi came out looking to set a high pace form the off and Sayama looked to respond, giving us an action packed fight from middle of round 2. Unfortunately for Sayama it seemed that Kikuchi was the more accurate puncher and that was shown on the scorecards when they were made public after 4 rounds, with two cards having her in the lead 39-37, with the third judge having the bout even.
Having established a lead after 4 rounds Kikuchi then built on that success, winning 3 of the last 4 rounds on two of the scorecards, with her straight left hand being a particularly good weapon as she used her reach well. Sayama never gave up, but she was unable to match the overall success of Kikuchi, who took the win with scores of 77-75, twice, and 78-74.
Also on the card was the return of former WBA Atomweight champion Yunoka Furukawa (9-3-2, 6) [古川夢乃歌], who was shocked in a notable upset by Michiko Abiru (4-6, 1) [阿比留通子]. Furukawa, who hadn't fought in almost 5 years, looked rusty and slow through the bout, and it was also clear she wasn't a natural Flyweight, with her power not having the effect here that we'd seen it have down at 102lbs. Instead it was the skills, and determination of Abiru that stood out as she took a career defining majority decision win over the former world champion.
Kikuchi came out looking to set a high pace form the off and Sayama looked to respond, giving us an action packed fight from middle of round 2. Unfortunately for Sayama it seemed that Kikuchi was the more accurate puncher and that was shown on the scorecards when they were made public after 4 rounds, with two cards having her in the lead 39-37, with the third judge having the bout even.
Having established a lead after 4 rounds Kikuchi then built on that success, winning 3 of the last 4 rounds on two of the scorecards, with her straight left hand being a particularly good weapon as she used her reach well. Sayama never gave up, but she was unable to match the overall success of Kikuchi, who took the win with scores of 77-75, twice, and 78-74.
Also on the card was the return of former WBA Atomweight champion Yunoka Furukawa (9-3-2, 6) [古川夢乃歌], who was shocked in a notable upset by Michiko Abiru (4-6, 1) [阿比留通子]. Furukawa, who hadn't fought in almost 5 years, looked rusty and slow through the bout, and it was also clear she wasn't a natural Flyweight, with her power not having the effect here that we'd seen it have down at 102lbs. Instead it was the skills, and determination of Abiru that stood out as she took a career defining majority decision win over the former world champion.