This past Friday was a busy day with Asian's in action around the globe along with a couple of Asian shows.

Tokyo, Japan
For us the most significant of the two Asian cards came from Japan where fans saw an OPBF title fight, a couple of world ranked fighters and some interesting action.

The main event was the aforementioned OPBF title bout which saw Lightweight champion Masayoshi Nakatani (11-0, 6) retain his title with a 5th round TKO win against Kazuya Murata (11-5, 5). This was Nakatani's 4th defense of the title and saw him get back to scoring stoppages after 4 straight distance bouts. The talented Ioka gym fighter took control early in the bout with his jab and movement and began to turn up the heat in round 4. At the end of round 5 the bout was stopped follow a doctor's inspection of the challenger who stopped the contest with Murata suffering a suspect eye injury.

In the chief support bout fans saw world ranked Super Bantamweight Shun Kubo (8-0, 6) make very light-work of Thailand's Jakarachlek Sor Wankaew (0-5). Kubo, who we had heard good things off through most of 2014, looked brilliant though the bout lasted just 54 seconds and it was hard to get a real read on just how good the Shinsei gym fighter really is.

Another world ranked fighter on this card was young Minimumweight hopeful Reiya Konishi (9-0, 4) who claimed a clear decision win over Naoya Haruguchi (7-6, 2). Konishi, who claimed the 2015 Rookie of the Year crown at 105lbs, showed some really nice touches in his work but he's a long, long, way from thinking about challenging for world honours. Saying that however he showed enough to suggest that he will be ready in 2016 for a Japanese title fight and we were genuinely impressed by his left hook to the body.

Konishi wasn't the only 2014 Rookie of the Year winner in action as Super Bantamweight winner Shohei Kawashima (11-0-2, 3) also picked up a victory. The relatively light hitting Kawashima managed to see off the limited Tatsuya Miyamoto (11-13-1, 7) in the 6th round following a lovely burst of shots. Although certainly not a puncher we do like Kawashima's combinations and he does look like a fighter who is going to grow in to his man strength in the coming years. Really one to keep an eye on.

In another bout at Super Bantamweight fans saw Yuta Uetani (17-5-1, 9) put in an impressive performance against the limited Serichai Nonpitayakom (0-2). On paper this was a mismatch but it was hard not to be impressed by Uetani's body punching, which put the Thai down for the count in roudn 2. Uetani might not be a top class fighter but he's going to be a handful for many fighters in and around the domestic level.

Another Japanese fighter to see off a Thai foe was Yasunori Kishigami (10-2-1, 6), who scored a 7th round KO against the win-less Kraithong Mansongkhram (0-3). Kraithong had made it to round 70 though was blasted with a vicious body shot in the opening seconds of the round. The Thai beat the count but was in no state to continue. Re-watching the shot it's amazing Kraithong didn't throw up on impact.

Bangkok, Thailand
The other card from Asia came from Thailand and was televised on Channel 7. The card was, for all intents, supposed to feature a couple of bouts that were warm up bouts for world ranked Thai's. Unfortunate for one of them the bout turned out to be less of a warm up and more of a nightmare.

One of those world ranked fighters was Paipharob Kokietgym (30-0, 23), who defended the WBO Oriental Light Flyweight title with an easy blow out win against Fanther Ndahiuw (7-4-1, 3). Ndahiuw, who had never been stopped, lasted just 105 seconds here as Paipharob kept up his hunt for a world title fight.

The other world ranked fighter was former challenger Pigmy Kokietgym (57-8-2, 23) who was surprisingly stopped in the 11th round by unheralded Filipino Jaysever Abcede (10-3, 6). The bout, for the WBO Oriental Minimumweight title was supposed to be a warm up for Pigmy before a showdown with Japan's sensational Kosei Tanaka. Instead it turned out to be a coming out party for 20 year old Abcede who finished the bout with a wonderful right hook in round 11. Whilst this is probably the end for Pigmy it's fair to say that Abcede may be worth keeping a serious eye on going forward.

On the under-card fans saw two unbeaten prospects extend their unbeaten runs. One of those men was the exciting Manachai Banchamek (7-0-1, 6), who stopped Singdech Laos PDR (0-1) in the 2nd round. The bout was a mismatch and although Singdech showed some heart he was battered by the aggressive and exciting Manachai.

The other prospect was Petchmanee Kokietgym (9-0, 4) who also picked up a 2nd round TKO as he beat Taosaifah Laos PDR (0-1). This was another mismatch in favour of the unbeaten man who showed touches of class, though was always far too good for Taosaifah.

South Africa
Another major shock involving a Filipino fighter occurred in South Africa where Rene Dacquel (15-5-1, 5) claimed the IBO International Super Flyweight title. The under-rated Dacquel scored two knockdowns on route to a split decision over local fighter Thembelani Nxoshe (13-6-1, 3). Coming into this one Dacque was 3-2-1 though this win will act as a major boost in

New South Wales, Australia
On a JNI promoted card in New South Wales fans saw two Asian fighters come up short.

One of those was Thailand's Paitoon Jaikom (5-16, 2) who was widely out pointed by the unbeaten Ahmed Dib (16-0, 9). Although the bout was scheduled for just 6 rounds one judge had Dib winning by 9 points, 60-51. Sadly for the Thai this defeat ends a 2 fight winning run.

The other Asian being beaten here was Aussie based Filipino veteran Aswin Cabuy (15-53-4, 7), who was shut out over 4 rounds by the unbeaten David Toussaint (6-0, 4).

New South Wales, Australia
A separate card in New South Wales saw Thai veteran Plaisakda Singwancha (38-22, 32) suffer an opening round TKO loss to Kariz Kariuki (26-11-2, 20).

District of Colombia, USA
In the US fans saw unbeaten Kazakh hopeful Shyngyskhan Tazhibay (2-0, 2) continue his perfect start with a 2nd round TKO win against the debuting Coleman Phelps (0-1). Tazhibay has been tipped as “one to watch” in some quarters though we must confess that his competition so far has told us very little about his ability or his true promise.

(Image courtesy of boxingnews.jp)

This past Saturday was an incredibly busy day, especially for Filipino fans, who had bouts involving their fighters through out the day.

Cebu, Philippines
Fans in the Philippines had a good day with a trio of shows, 2 of which were in Cebu.

For us the more interesting of the two was at the Mandaue city Grand Fiesta Carnival as we got several interesting prospects, a major upset, and a few notable “journeymen”.

The big upset came in the only title bout on the show as the highly experienced Edgar Gabejan (27-31-6, 9) scored a shock 8th round KO against Marbon Bodiongan (11-3-2, 9) to successfully defended the Philippines Games & Amusement Board (GAB) Super Featherweight title. Although on paper this was a huge mismatch it now seems clear that Gabejan has one of the many “misleading” records that we find through out the Filipino boxing scene.

Another man with a misleading record on this show was Gerpaul Valero (19-16-3, 13) who made light work of Nicardo Calamba (6-20-3, 3) courtesy of a 2nd round KO. This was an expected win for Valero who has really turned his career around after having been 1-13-3 just 4 years ago. A third man who proved how “wrong” his record was was Rodel Wenceslao (9-11-1, 3) who stopped Takamori Akita (10-5-1, 8).

It wasn't all about the “misleading” records however and it was good to see the promising Neil John Tabanao (11-0, 7) continue his perfect start as he over-came the experienced Jason Egara (21-13, 10) with a 10 round decision win. Another unbeaten man in action was Ardie Boyose (15-0-1, 11) who blew away Joel Escol (8-18-3, 5) inside a round.

In a 6 rounder fans saw Rommick Magos (11-4, 7) see off Juma Diana (2-10, 2) in the 2nd round whilst a 4 rounder saw the debuting Morten Olson (1-0, 1) blow away Holly Quinones (0-4) in just 77 seconds.

Cebu, Philippines
There was another show in Cebu that was equally as interesting.

In the main event ended in a genuine upset as Rene Dacquel (14-4-1, 5) took a split decision over the previously unbeaten Melvin Gumban (19-1, 10) and claimed the GAB Super Flyweight title. Gumban was defending the belt for the first time following his opening round blow out of Wiljan Ugbaniel in January though was unable to over-come the more battled hardened Dacquel. Despite the loss we do see Gumban coming back and he still has a bright future ahead of him.

In the chief support bout was saw Jason Canoy (23-5-2, 17) blow away Juren Labordo (14-3, 9) in the 2nd round. Labordo was unable to take Canoy's power and was down 3 times in the round.

In a 6 rounder Cris Ganoza (5-0, 1) claimed his first stoppage win as he over-came Rafael Sueno (3-3, 3) with a 4th round TKO. Another unbeaten man extending his winning run was Virgel Vitor (4-0, 2), who stopped Kenneth Neron (1-2-1) in the 3rd round.

Lower down this card we did see a couple of upsets. The most notable of those saw Andrew Palas (4-3, 1) take a decision win over the previously unbeaten Jeffrey Concerman (3-1, 1) whilst another saw Raul Yu (6-1, 5) defeat Gerard Suico (4-1, 3).

Metro Manila, Philippines
The third of the Filipino shows came from Mero Manila and seemed to see all the bouts going the “expected” way.

In the main event fans saw former world title challenger Michael Farenas (40-5-3, 32) make light work of Thai foe Chaiyong Sithsaithong (36-14-4, 26) with a 2nd round stoppage. Chaiyong was dropped twice in the round with the referee saving the over-matched Thai, who suffered only his second stoppage loss.

In the chief support bout fans saw the unbeaten Rommel Oliveros (4-0-1, 1) take a competitive decision win over journeymen Ricky Oyan (4-24-2, 2) in what turned out to be a good test for the novice, despite looking like a mismatch on paper.

Sadly the 6 rounders weren't particularly competitive. One of those saw Ryan Sermona (17-7, 10) force a stoppage of Gilbert Donasales (5-9-1, 3) whilst another saw experienced traveler Cris Alfante (11-4, 3) score a 2nd round TKO against Rolando Niones (4-17-2, 2).

In the 4 rounders we saw a bit of everything. One of those was a blow out as Mike Mirafuentes (3-1-1, 3) took care of Arben Escayo (0-4) in just 61 seconds. A more competitive saw the debuting Argie Guiriba (1-0) defeat fellow debutant Jovil Helario (0-1), with Helario being dropped in the opening round. The most competitive of the 4 rounders however saw Glen Medura (1-1-1, 1) trade knockdowns with Manny Mamacquiao (0-6-1) with Medura taking the split decision.

Haikou, China
In China fans saw the talented Froilan Saludar (22-1-1, 14) move a step towards a world title fight as he claimed the WBO Inter-Continental Flyweight title with a 5th round TKO against Indonesian journeyman Faris Nenggo (10-8-3, 3). Coming into this bout Nenggo was flying high from a shock TKO win over former world champion Merlito Sabillo though he couldn't over-come Saludar who is now 3-0 following his defeat to McWilliams Arroyo last June.

Distrito Federal, Mexico
Things weren't as good for Filipino fans who stayed up to watch Jeffrey Arienza (12-4-1, 7), who was stopped in 6 rounds by former world title challenger Dante Jardon (26-5, 21). This bout, for the WBC International silver Lightweight title, saw the Filipino suffering his second successive defeat, following a loss last November to Japanese novice Daishi Nagata. Although Arienza was more than competitive early on he ran out of steam before being stopped.

Queensland, Australia
In Australia we did see a slight shock as Aussie based Thai Arnon Yuchareon (0-8-1) managed to score a draw with Ben Kite (1-2-1). It was the first time Arnon had managed to avoid a defeat and it was a well earned draw for the still-win-less Thai ho continues to prove that his record is misleading, despite the fact he's nothing “special” as a fighter.