Sometimes, albeit rarely, in our sport a fighter who loses manages to impress us all more than the winner of a fight. That happened earlier today as Japan's unheralded Daiki Kaneko (19-3-3, 12) gave a stirring performance en route to losing in his WBA Super Featherweight title fight with the unbeaten Takashi Uchiyama (21-0-1, 17).
The first started tentatively from both with the neither man doing a lot in the first 3 rounds but what was done was mostly from Uchiyama who landed the better, crisper and more eye catching shots. That changed however in round 4 as Kaneko tagged Uchiyama with a solid right that rocked the champion hard. By now it had become clear that Kaneko wasn't there to make up the numbers, but was instead there to prove his skills against one of the truly elite Super Featherweights.
Unfortunately for Kaneko his success in round 4 wasn't immediately followed up as Uchiyama saw out the storm then took rounds 5 and 6. Kaneko wasn't to just give up though and although he dropped round 7 he fought back hard in rounds 8 and 9 as he showed off that he was just as tough and strong as Uchiyama. The strength and power of Kaneko, which had been impressive, really stood out in round 10 as he dropped Uchiyama with a solid and clean left hand.
Although Uchiyama had been dropped, for just the second time in his career, he seemed more embarrassed about the knockdown than hurt and in round 11 he went to war with Kaneko in a round that showed the champion had his senses about him. Uchiyama showed his experience and skills in round 11 as he made Kaneko miss then countered him. It was a great round of action and one that helped to secure Uchiyama of the fight.
Having proven he wasn't done in round 11 Uchiyama looked to finish off Kaneko in round 12 and rocked Kaneko late in the round though the tough challenger saw it out to hear the final bell.
Rather disappointingly the judges didn't hand in cards that reflected just how competitive the fight was. I had it 115-112 to Uchiyama some how the judges all had it 117-110 to the champion, giving Kaneko just 1 round other than the 10-8 round 10. The right guy won but it was closer than the judges had it and a lot more interesting.
Showing posts with label Takashi Uchiyama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Takashi Uchiyama. Show all posts
Tuesday, 31 December 2013
Monday, 6 May 2013
Takashi Uchiyama v Jaider Parra
WBA Super Featherweight champion Takashi Uchiyama (20-0-1, 17) showed why his is considered the man at Super Featherweight as he stopped the previously unbeaten challenger Jaider Parra (20-1-1, 10) in eye catching fashion.
The bout started well for the Venezuelan challenger who moved well and used his fast jab to score repeatedly on the champion who although never really troubled was struggling at times to cut the distance. In fact were it not for a nice flash of style from Uchiyama late in the round he could well have lost the opener.
The second round again saw Parra being the busier man with his jab and movement once again being a problem for Uchiyama who took most shots on the guard though was being outworked. Unfortunately for the challenger every puncher Uchiyama landed got major cheers and it seemed that whilst he was being out worked he was landing the better shots including an excellent hook and a cracking right cross. Parra, whilst looking like a feather fisted puncher managed to take everything from Uchiyama with out too many problems, but the power difference was notable.
Round 3 was much like the previous rounds though Uchiyama was starting to get more and more successes when he was attacking and landed several hard and clean shots late in the round. Once again Parra took everything very well though it was obvious that Uchiyama was just starting to move through the gears.
It was in round 4 that Uchiyama managed to hurt Parra for the first time as he landed a body shot late that really bothered the challenger. Although Uchiyama went for the finish straight after the shot Parra did well and managed to see his way to the bell. Despite surviving the round it was obvious that although he could take a shot to the head from Uchiyama his body wasn't so tough and Uchiyama went straight back to the mid section in round 5.
Although Uchiyama had eyed the body of his opponent it took him several opportunities to land just right and one of the misses was a painful looking low blow that had Parra visibly wincing. Parra never really recovered from the shot and just moments after being ordered to fight Uchiyama managed to land a legal blow to the midsection that sent the challenger down to the canvas where he remained writing in agony.
After the fight Uchiyama put on a T-shirt with the slogan "Who's next?" the answer it seems could be Takashi Miura in what would be a highly welcomed rematch after their fantastic bout in 2011. If the two men meet again we could well see the WBA and WBC titles unified and have another great bout on our hands.
The bout started well for the Venezuelan challenger who moved well and used his fast jab to score repeatedly on the champion who although never really troubled was struggling at times to cut the distance. In fact were it not for a nice flash of style from Uchiyama late in the round he could well have lost the opener.
The second round again saw Parra being the busier man with his jab and movement once again being a problem for Uchiyama who took most shots on the guard though was being outworked. Unfortunately for the challenger every puncher Uchiyama landed got major cheers and it seemed that whilst he was being out worked he was landing the better shots including an excellent hook and a cracking right cross. Parra, whilst looking like a feather fisted puncher managed to take everything from Uchiyama with out too many problems, but the power difference was notable.
Round 3 was much like the previous rounds though Uchiyama was starting to get more and more successes when he was attacking and landed several hard and clean shots late in the round. Once again Parra took everything very well though it was obvious that Uchiyama was just starting to move through the gears.
It was in round 4 that Uchiyama managed to hurt Parra for the first time as he landed a body shot late that really bothered the challenger. Although Uchiyama went for the finish straight after the shot Parra did well and managed to see his way to the bell. Despite surviving the round it was obvious that although he could take a shot to the head from Uchiyama his body wasn't so tough and Uchiyama went straight back to the mid section in round 5.
Although Uchiyama had eyed the body of his opponent it took him several opportunities to land just right and one of the misses was a painful looking low blow that had Parra visibly wincing. Parra never really recovered from the shot and just moments after being ordered to fight Uchiyama managed to land a legal blow to the midsection that sent the challenger down to the canvas where he remained writing in agony.
After the fight Uchiyama put on a T-shirt with the slogan "Who's next?" the answer it seems could be Takashi Miura in what would be a highly welcomed rematch after their fantastic bout in 2011. If the two men meet again we could well see the WBA and WBC titles unified and have another great bout on our hands.
Monday, 31 December 2012
Takashi Uchiyama v Bryan Vasquez
WBA Super Featherweight champion Takashi Uchiyama (19-0-1, 16) made the sixth defense of his world title as he stopped the game Costa Rican challenger Bryan Vasquez (29-1, 15) in an unexpectedly tough bout.
The opening round saw Vasquez moving wonderfully and keeping Uchiyama at range whilst charging in to land flurries. Whilst Uchiyama did have some success through the round the champion was certainly not getting his own way. In fact through the first 5 rounds it was hard to say that the champion was even in the lead as both men had their success. Whilst it was obvious that Uchiyama was the harder hitter he was often subdued whilst Vasquez would out work him though not have the power to force Uchiyama to step up his work rate.
The first really clear round of the fight was the 6th which saw Uchiyama step up a gear and really bang Vasquez around as he showed his class and power though the Costa Rican challenger bravely fought on showing himself to be a game challenger. In fact Vasquez's gameness was shown excellently in the following round, a round that the challenger thoroughly dominated to bring the cards back to a more even look.
Sadly for Vasquez his success in round 7 seemed only to serve as a wake up to Uchiyama who waited much of the round before going on an all out offensive that saw Vasquez's head rocked back time and time again. The bell couldn't come soon enough for Vasquez who saw the referee jumping in to stop the bout just as the bell was rung.
The opening round saw Vasquez moving wonderfully and keeping Uchiyama at range whilst charging in to land flurries. Whilst Uchiyama did have some success through the round the champion was certainly not getting his own way. In fact through the first 5 rounds it was hard to say that the champion was even in the lead as both men had their success. Whilst it was obvious that Uchiyama was the harder hitter he was often subdued whilst Vasquez would out work him though not have the power to force Uchiyama to step up his work rate.
The first really clear round of the fight was the 6th which saw Uchiyama step up a gear and really bang Vasquez around as he showed his class and power though the Costa Rican challenger bravely fought on showing himself to be a game challenger. In fact Vasquez's gameness was shown excellently in the following round, a round that the challenger thoroughly dominated to bring the cards back to a more even look.
Sadly for Vasquez his success in round 7 seemed only to serve as a wake up to Uchiyama who waited much of the round before going on an all out offensive that saw Vasquez's head rocked back time and time again. The bell couldn't come soon enough for Vasquez who saw the referee jumping in to stop the bout just as the bell was rung.
Sunday, 22 July 2012
Takashi Uchiyama v Michael Farenas
WBA Super Featherweight champion Takashi Uchiyama (18-0-1, 15) suffered the first blotch on his record so far after a clash of heads saw his fight with Filipino challenger Michael Farenas (34-3-4-1, 26) ending in a 3rd round technical draw and a very nasty cut for the champion.
Uchiyama, seen by many as the #1 guy at 130lbs came into the bout riding an 8 fight T/KO streak which had seen him stopping top competition including the experienced Jorge Solis and the highly rated Juan Carlos Salgado. Despite his reputation however Uchiyama was unable to impose his will on the much more experienced Farenas who moved well and neutralised much of Uchiyama's thunderous power.
After 2 intriguing, but not hugely exciting rounds, Uchiyama seemed to turn up the heat early in the 3rd before a clash of heads forced referee, Raul Caiz Sr to take Uchiyama over to the ringside Dr. The Dr decided the cut, which was sizable, was too severe to allow the bout to continuing rendering an early and unsatisfactory ending to proceeding.
Although a rematch is a possibility we'd much rather see an all Japanese WBA/WBC "unification" bout between Uchiyama and Takahiro Ao as the division looks for clear direction. Sadly the Super Featherweight division lacks any real star power and the best it has seems to be the group of emerging prospects including Javier Fortuna and Jomthong Chuwatana neither of which are quite ready to fight for a world title.
Uchiyama, seen by many as the #1 guy at 130lbs came into the bout riding an 8 fight T/KO streak which had seen him stopping top competition including the experienced Jorge Solis and the highly rated Juan Carlos Salgado. Despite his reputation however Uchiyama was unable to impose his will on the much more experienced Farenas who moved well and neutralised much of Uchiyama's thunderous power.
After 2 intriguing, but not hugely exciting rounds, Uchiyama seemed to turn up the heat early in the 3rd before a clash of heads forced referee, Raul Caiz Sr to take Uchiyama over to the ringside Dr. The Dr decided the cut, which was sizable, was too severe to allow the bout to continuing rendering an early and unsatisfactory ending to proceeding.
Although a rematch is a possibility we'd much rather see an all Japanese WBA/WBC "unification" bout between Uchiyama and Takahiro Ao as the division looks for clear direction. Sadly the Super Featherweight division lacks any real star power and the best it has seems to be the group of emerging prospects including Javier Fortuna and Jomthong Chuwatana neither of which are quite ready to fight for a world title.
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