Hasegawa captures WBC FW belt in war - Jhonny Gonzalez next in a fight long overdue

Fight starts in a couple of hours.

 

I'm not allowed to post a full match even if it's youtube, so I only post the introduction and the opener, you have to look for the rest. Available in HD.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqYb285lLUA[/ame]

 

Hozumi Hasegawa takes Juan Carlos Burgos' unbeaten record &the vacant WBC FW belt in exciting 12 rounds in Japan

Hasegawa sussessfully jumped 2 divisions to capture the vacant WBC FW belt in the absence of Elio Rojas. The classy southpaw had to overcome an April TKO loss to Fernando Montiel and his emotions having lost his mother a few weeks back, but the former BW#1 and P4P-er did just that for the joy of the packed crowd in Nagoya, Japan.

Hasegawa started very well, moving and scoring vs. the tall, hard hitting unbeaten Mexican, but Juan Carlos Burgos show some solid boxing skills and landed some of his own. After two boxing rounds won by Hozumi both fighters started to open up in the exciting R3 & R4, with the hometown hero still outscoring the 22yo in competitive 3 minutes. Hozumi pretty much scored a shut-out on my card after 6, though a headbutt opened a cut, and Burgos found a way in the fight rocking Hasegawa in R7 with a big left uppercut. They brawled for much of our liking and looked like the Mexican fighter is ready to take over.

Hasegawa however came back strong in the close R8, scoring with clean blows when one of the stupidest WBC rules came into play: after another accidental headbutt, Burgos was deducted a point because - listen carefully - Hozumi suffered the worse cut. Say what? Burgos' right eye is also started to close due to the rocket lead lefts from the Japanese fighter, but the Mexican fought back brave. It seemed Hozumi finally was able to hurt his young opponent in R9 and bothered Burgos in R10 as well with hard crisp left hands on the chin. But R11 belonged to Burgos who once again cracked Hozumi's jaw with a big left uppercut, though he landed some low blows in the following, which he apologised for. It looked like both were woobled in the absolutely fantastic last minute of brawl, but the round definitely belonged to Burgos, who at this point was going for the KO.

Hasegawa closed stronger and they both gave the fans something to cheer for, as cut, bruised and tired, they let it all go. Burgos seemed to be in trouble once more but there wasn't enough time or energy to finish inside the distance, so it went to the scorecards and Hozumi rightfully won by 117-110, 117-110 and 116-111. Great display of skills and excitement. Hasegawa, though lost some speed and snap, still was able to sell his long left and short hooks on the inside, and Burgos boxed and brawled just as comfortably, landing several lead rights and good left uppercuts. Nothing to be ashamed of, he just lost to a vastly experinced, fast, mobile former BW great, and I only see good things for him in the future. As for Hasegawa, he grabbed the vacant WBC FW belt and it seems he'll have to face former BW rival Jhonny Gonzalez in a fight that never happened at 118, but should come off at 126.

And where does Hasegawa fit in at featherweight? He looked a bit undersized there with Burgos and it might take some time to bring the recently developed power up, so at the moment, I don't think he's quite ready for the very best. He was a bit over-excited at times and paid the prize, but also quicky overcame tough moments and fought bravely back. Needs to improve his defense a bit and put some snap behind the jab, and he'll be allright.

Great fight to open this Wicked Weekend, and that was just the first of many exciting fights closing this superb November! Here are the introductions and first 2 rounds, follow the rest on YT. Available in HD.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqYb285lLUA[/ame]