RBR 2019 All Japan Rookie of the Year

Coming up in minutes the end of the biggest annual boxing tournament, the All Japan Rookie of the Year

https://boxrec.com/en/event/797967

Been impressed by more of the East Japan guys than the West Japan ones, and tipping Mori as a future star

 

As is always the case these cards don't really have anyone of name value on them, they are always novices, looking to get their foot in the door. Kameda has impressed though

Minimumweight - Katsuki Mori (5-0, 1) v Takumi Chono (5-0, 3) - 5 rounds
1-Chono doesn't give a **** what I think of Mori and tries to take him out, a lot of pressure from the West Japan champion, and it's taken Mori a minute or so to settle, nice counter hooks from, 2 sweeping hooks late r from Mori. He squeaks the first despite clearly losing the first minute

 

2-Another good start by Chono who is landing good body shots, they trade up top and Mori backs off, Mori standing up close and looking to fight fire with fire, both having moments on the inside, a big right from Mori, blood coming from Chono's nose, triple left hook from Mori, Chono attacking the body but taking head shots in return, combo up top from Mori. 2-0...again needed to fight deep early on

 

3-No big charge from Chono early this time, and Mori is chipping away at him, Mori cut - left eye brow, big Mori attack, he's trying to take Chono out, and another flurry of Mori head shots, the only thing the kid misses is power.

 

4-Huge sweeping right snaps Chono's head back, Chonoi's hurt, he's on the run, Mori in pursuit, big Mori body shot, Chono digging in and not going away but he's coming off worst in every exchange, big rights and the bell comes and saves the West Japan champion

 

5-Mori slowly beating down his man with body shots, Chono eats a massive right up top and fires back, Chono has shown flashes but overall he has taken a beating, credit to him for fighting on, huge head shots from Mori, man what a way to kick this off!

50-45 on my card
One judge agrees, 49-46 on the other two

 

Next up Kosuke Ando (7-1, 3) Vs Sho Omote (7-1, 3)
Ultra competitive looking bout at Light Flyweight

 

1-Ando is from Reiya Abe's gym and is representing East Japan, Omote is from the SF Maki gym, which used to home Kenichi Horikawa, much slower pace here than the previous bout, being fought at long range, Ando has landed the two best shots of the round and is throwing his right hand with some intent, Omote applying rather ineffective pressure,

2-Omote's pressure having a bit more success but Abe light is still having the better moments and better connects...not a great fight here at all

 

3-Missed most of round 3, what I did see was a nice burst of offense from Ando though

 

4-Pressure from Omote continues and down goes Ando! That was big and it's looking like Ando has tired himself out, he gets up quickly but is back under intense pressure, Omote starting to look like the physical boss now and Ando's negativity isn't keeping his man at range any more. Down again late in the round, a huge 10-7 for Omote

 

5-More pressure from Omote and he seemed to Ando before being rocked back himself, a minute to go and potentially all to fight for,

Ando celebrates...but Omote gets it by majority decision

 

Up next Haruki Usui (5-0-2, 1) v Atsuki Nakamura (4-0-1, 3)

 

1-Usui has one of those tall rangy frame that suggests he's either a massive puncher or vulnerable as hell....though it seems more the fact he's still just a kid and hasn't filled his body out yet, Nakamura looks very dangerous and quick with his shots when they exchange, a good right from Usui, a power jab from Nakamura snaps Usui's head back. Close, giving it to Nakamura - just,

 

2-Usui pressuring but neither man landing much of quality...and as I type that Usui gets put on his ass! Nakamura looks like the type who won't do a lot...but what he does do is nasty, Usui picking up his pace and being punished for it, Nakamura looks so much sharper, Usui keeps trying and does land a right hand late but that's a 10-8 Nakamura

Was a love 3 punch combo that put Usui down

Having more trouble with Isakura today than in the last 2 years combined!