Japanese Scene: Nishioka Too Sharp For Munroe - Gonzalez Blows Out Rosas - Linares Stops Faded Chavez

Sidney Boquiren of RingwalkNippon has the ringside report from Sunday's big Tokyo show featuring Toshiaki Nishioka's decision victory over Rendall Munroe.  For more Japanese boxing updates, you can follow Sidney on twitter: RingwalkNippon@Twitter

Gallant Munroe unable to match Nishioka’s speed, loses by UD

"I’m not sure if I want to cry or laugh," muttered Rendall Munroe as he reclined in his chair surrounded by local and foreign press after a tough decision loss to Toshiaki Nishioka at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan on Sunday.

The Leicester product had gone 36 minutes with the Ring Magazine’s #1 super bantamweight, and despite losing by unanimous 119-109 tallies, Munroe fought bravely, withstanding a number of concussive blows from the division’s best puncher. Showing a better acumen for the science than presumed, the boxing binman had his bright spots, particularly in the opening frames when Nishioka stood his ground. However, Munroe could not keep up with the elusive champion over the full twelve rounds. The challenger spent the majority of the second half chasing Japan’s "Speed King", unable to close distance to unleash his trademark attack to the body.

Nishioka, making the fifth defense of his WBC crown, came into the ring with four consecutive wins by stoppage and had not lost since 2004 – his fourth and final challenge to Thai stud Veeraphol Sahaprom. While he would land hard left hands to the body with consistency and find occasions to throw crosses and uppercuts up top, the wide scoring margin does not offer insight as to how tough this bout really was. The redness above both of the Teiken fighter’s eyes and blood streaming from the knuckle of the middle finger on his left hand, however, was testimony that this was a hard-won victory.

The discrepancy in speed, in both hand and foot, was clear as early as the opening inning, with the defending champ much quicker off the draw and nimbly circling his opponent. Though Nishioka struck with blistering one-twos and found the mark with his southpaw jab, Munroe showed a tight defense as he opted to gauge the titleholder’s game plan and look for openings to counter. The visiting lefty would come alive toward the end of the round, but with the hometown crowd behind him roaring with every punch – regardless of whether they landed or not – Nishioka won the stanza with his activity.

The 34-year old champ continued to beat the challenger to the punch in the second, scoring with jabs and a couple of lefts. Surprisingly, the Teiken southpaw strategically decided to attack the Brit’s midsection repeatedly, stating after the fight that he felt Munroe’s high guard would make it difficult to land shots up top and that the binman’s body was much closer than expected. Munroe attempted to apply pressure on Nishioka, and had a few good moments when he had the champ on the ropes. However, unable to capitalize, the first time world title challenger seemed a bit uncertain of how to wage his assault.

Good two-way action continued in the third. Munroe appeared to have a better period despite his inability to match Nishioka’s speed and footwork. With a little momentum building, the challenger would have several opportunities to touch up the champ’s body in the subsequent fourth as Nishioka held his ground much longer than he had earlier. Munroe did some nice work inside and also landed left hands to both the body and the head. The veteran, who seemed to be tiring with the frantic pace, fired back as well. With pinpoint accuracy, Nishioka locked on with lefts and rights to the visitor’s sides.

The initial third of the bout was completed, and while it was clearly a competitive scrap, open scoring revealed that two of the judges found the first four rounds 39-37 for Nishioka, while the remaining judge had it a sweep for the defending titleholder.

The fifth stanza was the turning point of the fight. Down on the scorecards, Munroe came out strong. However, perhaps conceding that staying in his opponent’s range was too dangerous and realizing the contest could go a distance, Nishioka reverted to a more mobile strategy, darting around and dropping lefts effectively through the round. A big left mid-round buckled Munroe’s knees, and the hometown pugilist pressed to inflict more damage. Though he was on unsteady legs, the Brit showed toughness in strengthen his guard and waiting out the barrage.

A brave Munroe would not win a single round in the remaining seven, as the champ would be a step ahead of the rugged challenger for the final 21 minutes. Finding a home for his straight left up top, and continuing to assault the binman’s midsection with both hands, Nishioka was firing on all cylinders offensively and nicely slipped and ducked Munroe’s attempts. Though a cut opened below his right eye from a punch, Munroe continued to stalk his opponent, albeit unsuccessfully. Unable to figure out a means of countering Nishioka’s footwork, and without a Plan B, the challenger would eat a full range of blows from the veteran. While it may be little consolation, the Leicester native succeeded in staying upright until the last gong and was admirable in defeat.

Nishioka, who advanced to 37-4-3, 23KO, retained his green belt and looked fairly good in doing so. Though plans for 2011 have yet to be made, one possibility that was brought up late last week is Fernando Montiel, who could look to move up next year to try to become a four-division champ. The Mexican’s camp is more than familiar with Teiken, having worked with the promoter to stage Montiel’s fight with Hozumi Hasegawa in April.

While his record slips to 21-2 (9KO), the affable binman and his team were in good spirits after the fight. Munroe was confident in saying that Nishioka may be the one fighter who has an edge on him, but any other 122-pounder would not have the same success.

"I am proud of myself, and (my supporters) are proud of me."

After the gutsy performance he displayed on Sunday, not only could Munroe’s stock have climbed in defeat, but he may have gained more than a few new supporters.

Gonzalez takes out Rosas in two

Roman Gonzalez, who also fights under the Teiken banner, proved to be a big man in one of boxing’s smallest divisions, looking very good in stopping the only opponent who has given him a difficult time throughout his 27 pro bouts. The Nicaraguan was faster and more powerful than Francisco Rosas, showing quick hands and a superb arsenal of punches. With an impressive display of firepower, Gonzalez dropped the Mexican three times in the second frame to earn the stoppage.

Scoring with jabs and left hooks to the body and face to open the fight, the undefeated 23-year old cracked Rosas with a couple hard straight rights before going back to the midsection to close out the frame.

Though the Mexican was considered to be a tough fighter, having never been stopped in 30 pro appearances, his decision to trade with Gonzalez in the beginning minute of the second would lead to his downfall. While he tagged his younger opponent with a nice right hand, the Nicaraguan would come back with left hands below and up top, then back Rosas with a right. Another right forced the Mexican to the retreat. Gonzalez then would score with a beautiful right to body - left hook to body - left uppercut combination. A wobbly Rosas would walk into a short right uppercut and fall to the canvas.

The former minimumweight champ poured it on when Rosas rose from the mat. Lefts and rights to the midsection clearly stung the Mexican, but it was Gonzalez’s uppercuts that did the damage, flooring Rosas for a second time. Though he made it to his feet again, the fight was pronounced over when the Mexican was dropped for a third time upon eating a left hook – left uppercut combination.

Gonzalez, who was considered number one or two at 105-pounds, made a successful jump in weight classes, improving to 27-0, 23KO, and picked up an alphabet trinket as well. A bout with his original opponent, Juan Carlos Reveco, would be nice to see, but fans should be clamoring for a showdown with unified champion Giovanni Segura.

Rosas drops to 21-8-2, 12KO, and suffers his first loss within the scheduled number of rounds.

Linares punishes a faded Chavez

Former two-division champion Jorge Linares tabbed his third win since being upset last October, dispatching a faded Jesus Chavez in four rounds. The 37-year old warrior, who also held titles in two weight classes, could not keep up with the sharp, accurate and quick Venezuelan. Linares could not miss – and did not hold back – as he put on a show of the depth of his offensive arsenal. Thankfully, the fight was waived after four rounds as Chavez’s camp cited a shoulder injury.

Although the first round stoppage loss to Juan Carlos Salgado last fall was a major setback for the 25-year old who had just signed a co-promotional agreement with Golden Boy, Linares seems to have regained his form. His wide UD victory over Rocky Juarez this summer and this win over Chavez can be criticized for the choice of opponent, but it is clear that his offensive abilities and his swagger are intact.

While Japan would love to see a showdown with WBA super featherweight champ Takashi Uchiyama, it appears that Linares will campaign at lightweight in 2011. The former 126 and 130-pound champ says that he personally wants to fight Humberto Soto the most, but could also be paired with Diaz (Juan, I assume…). A fight with Uchiyama could manifest in time, but Linares seems to be targeting the higher weight class for now.

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