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When Japan's Keita Obara turned professional there was a lot of expectation on his shoulders. That expectation continued despite his debut loss to Kazuyoshi Kumano. The loss on debut was a set back but it wasn't the end of the road and with in a year Obara had got back on track with wins over Makoto Mori, by stoppage, and Daichi Sakoda, via technical decision. It was clear, not just in his wins but also in his loss, that he had talent, power and potential, but he needed some more experience and some rounds. To get Obara rounds his team matches him with Kota Oguchi, a team tough opponent who hadn't been stopped in 16 previous contests. He was viewed as a safe opponent due to his lack of power and limitations as a fighter but he was durable, he was tough and he knew how to survive having gone 8 rounds numerous times. What Obara's team wouldn't have expected was for their charge to drop Oguchi in the second round or finish him off in round 3 in what was genuine a very impressive result despite not looking it on paper. On paper Obara had beaten a guy who had entered 8-8, in actuality he had stopped one of the toughest "journeymen" in Japanese boxing in just 3 rounds! Since this bout Obara has become one of the best Light Welterweights in Asia. He has won Japanese and OPBF titles and become one of the most dangerous punchers in or around 140lbs. Oguchi on the other hand has fought 5 times, losing 4 of those 5 bouts though has gone the distance in all 4 of those losses.
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VideosHere we include some of the best, most interesting, most exciting or most eye catching videos from around the Asian boxing world. Archives
March 2024
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