Watarai books title shot! Harada and Tamegai extend unbeaten records
Earlier today Japanese fight fans at Korakuen Hall, and those tuning in on BoxingRaise, had the latest show under the long running Dangan series of events. The card was a pretty notable one, featuring several strong prospects and a Japanese title eliminator, with the winner getting a shot at a title at the Champion Carnival next year.
The card had 7 bouts in total, but there was 4 that really stood out as being particularly notable.
The first of those was at Bantamweight where the unbeaten Ren Tamegai (5-0, 1) [為我井 廉] scored his latest win, taking a wide 6 round decision against Sho Nagasato (4-8, 2) [永里 翔]. From the off Tamegai was clearly too good, dictating the tempo and action with his footwork and long shots and neutralised Nagasato's pressure well, often making Nagasato walk on to shots. Nagasato was there to win, but was often slow to pull the trigger and unable to cut the distance
(Note - Boxrec currently list Tamegai as 4-0, 1 having credited someone else with the same surname for one of his wins)
In the second notable bout Kaishu Harada (5-0, 2) [原田海舟] stepped up massively, and shut out former OPBF Super Bantamweight champion Pete Apolinar (17-6-1, 10) over 8 rounds. From the off Harada was super sharp, controlling the distance well with his southpaw jab and building into the fight, whilst keeping the under-rated Apolinar at a safe distance. The Filipino clearly hadn't travelled to roll over and lose, but was struggling with the speed and size of Harada who seemed to be in total control after 4 rounds. To try to change things Apolinar turned southpaw in round 5, though it made little change to his success, and the only real change was that it lead to a clash of heads, that left the Filipino with a cut over his left eye. As the bout reached the later stages we saw Harada change his tactics, as he went from racking up the rounds boxing to trying to break down Apolinar, who was under real pressure in the final round, but saw out the final bell. Although not one of the more lauded names in Japan Harada could well be one of the ones to watch going forward and this win certainly showed why he had been such a successful amateur, and why transition to the professional ranks is an exciting one.
In the show’s chief support bout former world title challenger Ryota Yamauchi (13-4, 12) [山内涼太] scored a 4th round KO over Filipino visitor Orlie Silvestre (18-10-2, 10). Yamauchi started behind his jab against his naturally smaller foe, who looked to land big shots, but struggled to get into range, and took a hard left hook in round 2. Silvestre looked dangerous and somewhat unpredictable, but under-sized and some what crude, with Yamauchi dropping him with a body shot in round 3. The visitor get back to his feet but was under pressure the rest of the round, showing real grit to survive. That grit ran out in round 4, as he was dropped for the second time, and took the full 10 count.
In the main event we saw a Japanese title eliminator as the JBC #1 ranked contender Kotaro Sekine (9-1-1, 8) [関根幸太朗] faced off with the #2 ranked Mikyo Watarai (6-0, 4) [渡来美響] in a mouth watering match up. The fight saw some real tension early on, with the two men both fully aware that the other had power, and was there to secure a Japanese title fight. This saw both looking cautious at times, though Watarai looked the more skilled and accomplished in the early going with his amateur background shining through. In round 4 the tension broke as a sharp 1-2 from Watarai hurt Sekine and a follow up forced the referee in, saving Sekine from further punishment. The stoppage looked a touch early, though Sekine made no complaint and likely realised he was in trouble. With the win Sekine has booked a shot at the Japanese title currently held by former amateur stand out Kuntae Lee (8-0-2, 1) [李健太], in what could be a very special bout in the new year.
The card had 7 bouts in total, but there was 4 that really stood out as being particularly notable.
The first of those was at Bantamweight where the unbeaten Ren Tamegai (5-0, 1) [為我井 廉] scored his latest win, taking a wide 6 round decision against Sho Nagasato (4-8, 2) [永里 翔]. From the off Tamegai was clearly too good, dictating the tempo and action with his footwork and long shots and neutralised Nagasato's pressure well, often making Nagasato walk on to shots. Nagasato was there to win, but was often slow to pull the trigger and unable to cut the distance
(Note - Boxrec currently list Tamegai as 4-0, 1 having credited someone else with the same surname for one of his wins)
In the second notable bout Kaishu Harada (5-0, 2) [原田海舟] stepped up massively, and shut out former OPBF Super Bantamweight champion Pete Apolinar (17-6-1, 10) over 8 rounds. From the off Harada was super sharp, controlling the distance well with his southpaw jab and building into the fight, whilst keeping the under-rated Apolinar at a safe distance. The Filipino clearly hadn't travelled to roll over and lose, but was struggling with the speed and size of Harada who seemed to be in total control after 4 rounds. To try to change things Apolinar turned southpaw in round 5, though it made little change to his success, and the only real change was that it lead to a clash of heads, that left the Filipino with a cut over his left eye. As the bout reached the later stages we saw Harada change his tactics, as he went from racking up the rounds boxing to trying to break down Apolinar, who was under real pressure in the final round, but saw out the final bell. Although not one of the more lauded names in Japan Harada could well be one of the ones to watch going forward and this win certainly showed why he had been such a successful amateur, and why transition to the professional ranks is an exciting one.
In the show’s chief support bout former world title challenger Ryota Yamauchi (13-4, 12) [山内涼太] scored a 4th round KO over Filipino visitor Orlie Silvestre (18-10-2, 10). Yamauchi started behind his jab against his naturally smaller foe, who looked to land big shots, but struggled to get into range, and took a hard left hook in round 2. Silvestre looked dangerous and somewhat unpredictable, but under-sized and some what crude, with Yamauchi dropping him with a body shot in round 3. The visitor get back to his feet but was under pressure the rest of the round, showing real grit to survive. That grit ran out in round 4, as he was dropped for the second time, and took the full 10 count.
In the main event we saw a Japanese title eliminator as the JBC #1 ranked contender Kotaro Sekine (9-1-1, 8) [関根幸太朗] faced off with the #2 ranked Mikyo Watarai (6-0, 4) [渡来美響] in a mouth watering match up. The fight saw some real tension early on, with the two men both fully aware that the other had power, and was there to secure a Japanese title fight. This saw both looking cautious at times, though Watarai looked the more skilled and accomplished in the early going with his amateur background shining through. In round 4 the tension broke as a sharp 1-2 from Watarai hurt Sekine and a follow up forced the referee in, saving Sekine from further punishment. The stoppage looked a touch early, though Sekine made no complaint and likely realised he was in trouble. With the win Sekine has booked a shot at the Japanese title currently held by former amateur stand out Kuntae Lee (8-0-2, 1) [李健太], in what could be a very special bout in the new year.