Nagahama takes OPBF title, defeats Kaneko at Korakuen Hall
Earlier today at Korakuen Hall fight fans saw a new OPBF Welterweight champion being crowned, as Riku Nagahama (12-3-1, 4) [長濱 陸] scored the biggest win of his career, and out pointed the previously unbeaten Kudura Kaneko (11-1, 8) [クドゥラ 金子].
From the early going it seemed like Nagahama was simply too sharp, too smart, and too good for the slower, clumsier but more powerful Kaneko. Kaneko was trying to come forward, but he was unable to land with authority on any kind of regular basis.
After 4 rounds Nagahama was in a clear lead, up 40-36 on all 3 cards when they were announced for the first time.
In the middle rounds Kaneko managed to get some success, at least in round 5, but it wasn't enough to really work his way into the bout as Nagahama began to work away on the body of Kaneko, and took control again without too many worries. It was as if he let Kaneko feel confident and then took it away, showing he was in total control.
After 8 rounds, when we went to the scorecards for the second time and Nagahama had extended his lead to 79-73 across the board. All he had to do was stay up for the final 4 rounds, and that turned out to be no problem at all, despite Kaneko managing to have some of his best moments in final 4 rounds.
With Nagahama staying up right it was always obvious he had done enough in the first 8 rounds to take the win, and we saw that with scores of 118-110 and 117-111, twice.
For fans wanting to watch this it will be made available on Boxing Raise shortly.
(Image courtesy of boxmpob.jp)
From the early going it seemed like Nagahama was simply too sharp, too smart, and too good for the slower, clumsier but more powerful Kaneko. Kaneko was trying to come forward, but he was unable to land with authority on any kind of regular basis.
After 4 rounds Nagahama was in a clear lead, up 40-36 on all 3 cards when they were announced for the first time.
In the middle rounds Kaneko managed to get some success, at least in round 5, but it wasn't enough to really work his way into the bout as Nagahama began to work away on the body of Kaneko, and took control again without too many worries. It was as if he let Kaneko feel confident and then took it away, showing he was in total control.
After 8 rounds, when we went to the scorecards for the second time and Nagahama had extended his lead to 79-73 across the board. All he had to do was stay up for the final 4 rounds, and that turned out to be no problem at all, despite Kaneko managing to have some of his best moments in final 4 rounds.
With Nagahama staying up right it was always obvious he had done enough in the first 8 rounds to take the win, and we saw that with scores of 118-110 and 117-111, twice.
For fans wanting to watch this it will be made available on Boxing Raise shortly.
(Image courtesy of boxmpob.jp)