By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda
Former kick-boxing champ, 38-year-old Tsukuru Midorikawa (5-0, 3 KOs; WKBA kick-boxing 56-18), 153.75, surprisingly wrested the OPBF (Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation) super welter belt as he was awarded a controversial split decision (all 95-94; two for the challenger, one for the champ) over defending titlist Nath Nwachukwu (9-5-2, 4 KOs), 153.75, on Thursday in Tokyo, Japan. Why was this result surprising and controversial? Tsukuru too often repeated grabbing and holding the arms of the champ. Nath, the son of a Nigerian father and a Japanese mother, kept throwing punches on the peek-a-boo stylist’s gloves and head, while Tsukuru occasionally connected with a few countering left hooks. It was only in the final round that the referee eventually deducted a point from the foul-repeating challenger, which was obviously too late. This reporter saw it 96-93 for the dethroned champ Nath, who deserves a rematch.
Promoter: Hachioji Nakaya Promotions, Ohashi Promotions.
https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/1274846
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