Muranaka retains on a busy day!

Although this Saturday wasn't a great one for Western boxing fans it was an interesting one for Asian fans with bouts across the continent.

Tokyo, Japan
The most notable bout came in Japan and although Japanese fans at the Korakuen Hall weren't treat to a great card or an amazing show, but they were treat to a card with a significant bout on it as a world ranked fighter was in action and show casing his skills in front of them.

That world class fighter was Japanese Flyweight champion Suguru Muranaka (20-2-1, 7) who showed that he hit harder than his record indicated as he saw off the gallant challenge of Yusuke Sakashita (12-5, 7). Sakashita, started very well though in the second half Muranaka manged to cut the distance before landing a bomb to send Sakashita down and forcing the referee to stop the contest. Prior to the stoppage Muranaka had been given a serious test though will be glad to see that his power is becoming more notable with this being his second successive stoppage, as well as his second national title defense.

The chief support bouts were both 8 round contests. One of these saw Yusuke Tsukada (7-4, 3) managing to over-come the much more experienced Takashi Inagaki (17-13-1, 7) with a well earned decision. The other 8 rounder lasted just 77 seconds as Yuto Shimizu (8-2-2, 2) swiftly dispatched of Indonesian visitor Muhammad Imam (9-6, 3). Imam has not lost 4 successive bouts including a trio of opening round blow outs and it's clear that he needs to be careful about who he gets in the ring with in the future.

We also had a quick blow out in one of the 2 bouts scheduled for 6 rounds. This saw Kensuke Sasaki (2-1, 2) dispose of Jack Madison (2-3) after 179 seconds in what was a horrible match up for the Indonesia. Although Sasaki's record doesn't show it he is a talented fighter and we suspect he could go a very long way in this sport of managed properly. The other 6 rounder saw Yudai Arai (5-1-3, 3) score a 6th round stoppage over Tomoyuki Kaneko (7-4, 4), giving Kaneko his first stoppage loss.

The 4 opening bouts, all 4 rounders, saw just one bout finish inside the distance as Fumio Ujihara (3-2, 3) took out Shintaro Hirohama (1-3-1, 1) in the second round. The other 4 rounders saw Hideaki Takasgi (1-0) claim a clear debut win over fellow debutant Nozomu Akitsuki (0-1), the previously win-less Ryo Nakano (1-2) claim his maiden victory with a narrow decision over Joji Tsuchiya (1-2, 2) and Akihiro Yamanaka (3-3) leveled off his record as he over-came Shohei Niwa (1-2)

Benguet, Philippines
As well as the title fight in Japan we also had one in the Philippines as Argie Toquero (8-3-1, 6) quickly took card of Japan's Takaya Kakutani (7-5, 6) with an opening round blow out to claim the WBC Youth Super Featherweight title.

Taal, Batangas, Philippines
In another title fight in the Philippines saw former world title challenger Ardin Diale (24-9-3, 10) pull himself off the canvas to stop the previously unbeaten Renerio Arizala (11-1-1, 4) in a defense of his GAB Flyweight title. For Diale this was his first bout since his war with Koki Eto earlier this year and although he won here it does seem likely that that bout will have long term effects on his punch resistance.

In another title fight on the same show Rene Dacquel (12-3-1, 4) claimed the WBC Youth Intercontinental Super Flyweight title with an 8th round KO against fellow Filipino Menard Abila (5-2-4, 1). For Dacquel this is his first WBC affiliated title and we suspect he'll step up in an attempt to collect another next year.

Surprisingly the other title bout on the card managed to go the distance as the explosive Warlito Parrenas (22-6, 19) took a wide unanimous decision over Indonesian Espinos Sabu (11-2-1, 5) to retain his WBO Oriental Super Flyweight title. Parrenas, a really thunderous puncher with an extremely aggressive mindset hadn't seen a bout go the distance since a 2007 loss to Philip Parcon more than 20 fights ago! Sadly for Sabu this was a second successive set back following a loss, earlier this year, to Rusalee Samor in Thailand.

In the undercard bouts on this show fans saw Nino Magboo (17-2-1, 8) pull himself off the canvas to take a 10 round decision over Rex Olisa (10-26-1, 8). In the show's other 10 rounder we saw an early victory for Rey Juntilla (18-6-3, 12) who easily saw off Jovill Marayan (8-19-3, 3 in 2 rounds.

In one of the two bouts scheduled for 8 rounds Jheritz Chavez (3-0-2, 2) took a decision win over the previously unbeaten Jonathan Dela Cruz (5-1, 2) in a close fight that Dela Cruz dropped and deducted a point in round 5, the other 8 rounder saw Jon Jon Estrada (5-1-1, 4) make light work of Gilbert Donasales (5-8-1, 3) who lasted just 3 rounds before being knocked out.

Misamis Oriental, Philippines
The least significant of the 3 Filipino shows came from Miasamis Oriental which hosted a 10 bout show with various interesting names.

The most notable name in action was Froilan Saludar (20-1-1, 13), one of 3 Saludar's in action, who made light work of Juan Purisima (11-6-1, 4) with a 2nd round KO. For Saludar this was his first bout since being knocked out himself in an IBF Flyweight title eliminator by McWilliams Arroyo and it's good to see him scoring a win even if the level was way lower than his previous fight.

Another 2nd round KO was scored by Edward Mansito (12-1-2, 6) who took care of Jilo Merlin (13-21-2, 2) in a scheduled 10 rounder. Another 10 round went into round 7 before the very promising Jessie Espinas (9-1, 5) stopped Rodel Tejares (20-31-6, 5).

In the sole 8 rounder Vic Saludar (7-1, 6) took his first decision win as he over-came the tough JR Salvador (5-20-3).

In 6 rounders we saw a trio of fighter remain unbeaten. These saw Jeronil Borres (5-0, 5) stop Jackloard Dao-Ay (1-1, 1) inside a round whilst Rence Bryan Magacre (5-0, 3) out pointed Edward Joaquino (2-3) and Freddie Bisande (5-0-2, 2) took a decision over Kerome Ministerio (3-2, 2).

The 4 rounders all saw stoppages. On of those was a 2nd round KO by Vanjune Saludar (3-0, 2), who stopped Jhon Leo Galleposo (1-6, 1), whilst another was a 2nd round TKO scored by Reben Prongco (1-0, 1) who defeated Roy-Roy Morano (0-2-1). The longest of the 6 rounders went 3 rounds as Robert Paradero (2-0, 1) took 3 rounds to see off Jade Dadang (0-2)

Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
In Thailand fans saw some action courtesy of Kokietgym.

The most notable of the bouts saw PABA Light Flyweight champion Paipharob Kokietgym (27-0, 20) successfully retain his title with a clear win over Filipino Mateo Handig (13-7, 7) who suffered a second successive loss to a world class fighter following his controversial win over Katsunari Takayama back in 2012. Paipharob probably now needs a major bout before he starts to become the "forgotten man" of the Light Flyweight division. Interestingly the division is open right now, unfortunately though Paipharob isn't an attractive opponent for any top fighter in the division and he may struggle to get a world title fight in the next or so.

The other bout saw the unbeaten Saenganan KKP (9-0, 5) score a points win over the unknown Madis (0-1) a supposed debutant, though as with many guys on Thai under-cards it's hard to be sure.

(Image courtesy of boxingnews.jp)

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