Zhang Junlong stops Shawn Cox, Otake bounces back with a win and much more!

This past Friday was a hectic day of sorts with action across Asia. 

Beijing, China
Some of the days most interesting action took place in China where a Heavyweight continued his perfect whilst novices were also in action.

The aforementioned Heavyweight was Chinese power-puncher Zhang Junlong (11-0, 11 or 19-0, 19 depending on source) who scored his second notable victory. The heavy handed Chinese fighter, described as being the “Chinese George Foreman”, easily saw off heavy handed visitor Shawn Cox (18-6, 17) who was stopped in the 2nd round. Interestingly Cox had come into this bout following the second best win of his career, a 3rd round TKO win against Santander Silgado. We're not going to saw Junlong is a world beater but he is certainly the most proven of the Chinese Heavyweights currently making their name in the sport.

In an 8 rounder fans saw Wang Kun (3-1, 1) score the biggest win of his career as he out-pointed experienced Filipino Romeo Jakosalem (16-10-1, 8). The 21 year old Kun may well be one to make a note of and this was an excellent win, though we'll have to wait and see.

Sadly things didn't go as well for Lin Chunlei (2-1, 1) who lost his unbeaten record with a decision loss to Jason Redondo (11-3-1, 7). Redondo, another Filipino visitor, had been stopped less than 3 months ago by Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo though always looked like a big ask for Chunlei.

In an all debutant bout Wen Jia Bao (1-0, 1) took a 3rd round TKO win over Hu Zhi Qiang (0-1) whilst another all debutant match up saw Zou Xin Li (1-0) take a decision over Wang Xi Long (0-1).

Ayutthaya, Thailand
For us the most interesting of two Thai cards came on Channel 7.

In the main even of this show Ratchasak KKP (28-3-1, 13) scored his 5th straight win, following a loss in Macao to Rex Tso, and over-came Ronerex Dalut (9-16-2, 2) with a clear 12 round decision.

For us a more interesting fighter on this card was the unbeaten Kongfah CP Freshmart (14-0, 8) who maintained his unbeaten record. Although we do find Kongfah very interesting as a prospect we didn't really learn much new about him here as he predictably defeated debutant Roden Tolulog (0-1) who was stopped in the 3rd round.

It wasn't all bad for debutants however as Petchtae Petchyindee (1-0) score a debut win over the win-less Petchmai Sor Praithong (0-3).

Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
In another Thai card fans got the chance to see a couple of bouts, courtesy of Channel 11.

The main event here saw ABF (Asian Boxing Federation) Welterweight champion Chalermpol Singwancha (13-0, 11) successfully defend his belt, and unbeaten record, as he saw off debuting Italian Simon Cicine (0-1) in the 9th round. Questions have to be asked of the ABF for sanctioning this bout on so many levels, however it is another win for the Thai who really needs to step up in class rather than take on visiting debutants.

The other bout on this card saw Mohamadreza Hamze (6-5-2, 2) score a 6 round decision win over Robert Chor Chaiwai (0-1-1). Hamze, an Iranian fighter who is based in Thailand, has now strung together 3 wins after a going 3-5-1 in his first 9 bouts.

Tokyo, Japan
In Japan fans had a Kaneko promoted show at the Korakuen Hall available to see. Sadly the card didn't look like the best on paper..

The main event was the worst matched bout on the card as former world title challenger Hidenori Otake (23-2-3, 10) easily saw off Thai visitor Phissanuthep Chaiyonggym (4-13-1, 3) in 3 rounds. Otake, who was last seen in the ring in November losing a wide decision to Scott Quigg, had a little bit of ring rust that needed shaking but he was never forced out of first gear here. Interestingly after the fight Otake spoke about wanting to claim the OPBF title.

The chief support bout was arguably the most competitive bout on the card as Ryuto Oho (7-2-1, 2) claimed a very close unanimous decision win over Takahiro Fujii (7-4-1, 2). Oho, the 2013 All Japan Rookie of the Year at Flyweight, had come in to this bout on a run of 0-2-1 though had just enough to score the win whilst Fuji suffered his second loss in his last 3 bouts.

An exciting but short lived bout saw Yutaka Kamioka (9-3-2, 5) claim a 91 second win over Naoya Okamoto (8-5, 1) in a bout that looked well matched on paper. Both guys came out swinging early on with no feeling out to be spoken of, and whilst it was intense action it was rather fleeting.

The sole 6 rounder on the card was also over early as Yamato Fuinaka (6-3, 2) took out Prakampetch Por Palapol (0-3) at the end of the opening round. Whilst on paper the bout wasn't too notable it was a Heavyweight clash, something that is still very rare in Japan.

At Middleweight Shinobu Charlie Hosokawa (2-1, 1) claimed his first decision victory as he over-came Yuichi Sakuta (3-3, 2) in a competitive decision over 4 rounds. Another competitive 4 rounder saw Makoto Iitsuka (2-1-1, 1) defeat Daigo Miyagawa (1-4-2). The closest of the 4 rounders was an all debutant affair which saw Shu Hayashi (1-0) take a majority win over Kenta Kikuchi (0-1).

One other 4 rounder saw Shin Tomitaka (2-1-1, 1) claim his first stoppage win as he saw off Takayuki Nakaebisu (2-7-1, 1) in the 3rd round.


(Image courtesy of boxingnews.jp)

---