Japanese Scene Recaps & News: Enoki Stopped by Garza, Arakawa Wins Title, Poonsawat/Kimura, Naito, etc.

Sidney Boquiren of RingwalkNippon updates all the latest Japanese boxing action and news.  For more updates, you can follow Sidney on twitter: RingwalkNippon@Twitter

Enoki Stopped by Garza - Announces Retirement

Former OPBF and national champion Hiroyuki Enoki fell short in his latest attempt to return to his once dominant form as he was bested by Mexico’s Alberto Garza in their fight on Friday. The Featherweight stalwart, who fought his entire 34-bout career at the 126lb weight class, had lost two in a row (and three of his last four) before battling the WBC #11 rated Garza (22-4-1, 18KO). Stifled by the Mexican’s solid jab and cut in the 8th, Enoki was a bloody and swollen mess when the referee halted the bout in the ninth frame.

While the 30-year old Enoki started with some mild success according to one Japanese boxing blog, his effectiveness did not last long. Enoki was unable to establish his jab to set up power punches, allowing the Mexican to take clear control of the fight from the fourth round. Sports Hochi reports that Garza’s stance switching further puzzled the former champ, and the Mexican was able to control distance with his movement in the middle rounds while delivering a one-sided beating. As Enoki was cut deeply over his right eye in the eighth and was not responding well to his opponent’s punches, the referee called an end to the fight at the 58-second mark.

After returning to his dressing room, Enoki announced that he would retire. Once a well-regarded 27-0-2 contender, which includes three title defenses of both the regional and national titles, the Kadoebi Gym fighter had a solid career.

However, Enoki was not able to win the big fight, drawing with Takahiro Aoh (former WBC Featherweight titleholder) and out-classed in his one and only world title opportunity against WBA 126lb king Chris John in 2008. An upset loss to Ryol Li Lee in his second fight after the defeat to John seemed to relegate him to gatekeeper status. His next fight would be another decision loss, this time to Satoshi Hosono, who would use the victory to set up a title shot. Enoki finishes his career with a record of 28-4-2, 20KO.

Arakawa Crowned Japanese Lightweight champ

In the 135lb card of this year’s Champion Carnival, Nihito Arakawa survived a first round knockdown to take a majority decision over titleholder Akihiro Kondo on Thursday. Arakawa used his southpaw jab effectively and proved more accurate inside as he won on two scorecards 96-94 (twice) to win the Lightweight crown.

The 28-year old prospect, who fought two-time world challenger Randy Suico to a draw in September 2008, was sent to the canvas by a Kondo right cross in the opening inning but recovered by the second. With the champion fading early from the middle rounds, Arakawa scored well with pinpoint left uppercuts and straight lefts, reported Sponichi, and also won the battle inside with more compact punches.

Arakawa upped his record to 17-1-1, 11KO, while Kondo fell to 13-2, 6KO.

More Boxing Notes...

• While I cannot imagine Arakawa going beyond the regional level, I have to applaud his team at Hachioji Nakaya Gym. The little-gym-that-could saw its second fighter in this year’s carnival win a title (the first being Super Welterweight Charlie Ohta). Though technically part of metropolitan Tokyo, Hachioji City is a one-hour trek by train west of Shinjuku. Not likely a hotbed for pugilists, the team has got to be doing something right as they have pulled off two of the more surprising victories in this edition of the tournament.
• A May 20 fight between WBA Super Bantamweight champ Poonsawat Kratingaenggym and former Japanese champ Shoji Kimura is close to being finalized. Kimura is coming off a loss in which he gave up the national title while Poonsawat looked great in beating then undefeated Satoshi Hosono in January. Look for an even dominating performance against Kimura if the fight is made.
• Daisuke Naito has a new opponent for his return to the ring in May. Originally scheduled to fight Suriyan Por Chokchai (13-4-1, 3KO) from Thailand, he will now face Liempetch Sor Veerapol (17-6, 10KO), also from Thailand. Veerapol has fought slightly better opposition, including contenders Marvin Sonsona, Johnriel Casimero, and AkiraYaegashi, but lost to all three. It will be Naito’s first fight since losing his WBC 112lb title to Koki Kameda last November.
• Speaking of Koki, he’s looking a bit chubby these days.

e-mail Sidney Boquiren

For more coverage of Japanese boxing, follow Sidney on Twitter: RingwalkNippon@Twitter