By Carlos Costa
In devastating fashion, world-ranked Japanese Shingo Wake (16-4-2, 9 KO's) quickly knocked out Jovylito "Katsumata" Aligarbes of Lanao del Norte, Philippines, to make the successful third defense of his WBC Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) Super Bantamweight Title on Monday (Feb 10) at the famed Korakuen Hall in downtown Tokyo, Japan.
The 20-year-old Jovy Aligarbes (10-3, 4 KO's) was no match for the taller, more powerful, more experienced Wake, 26, who is currently rated as WBC # 9, WBA # 6. Time of stoppage was 1:14 seconds in round 2.
The WBC world champ in this 122-pound division is Mexican star Leo "Terremoto" Santa Cruz (26-0-1, 15 KO's), while the WBA ruler is Cuban master boxer Guillermo "El Chacal" Rigondeaux (13-0, 8 KO's).
In the co-main event, promising Rikki Naito (9-0, 5 KO's) of Yokohama overpowered veteran Hiroyasu Matsuzaki (22-7-2, 11 KO's) to claim the vacant Japanese Super Featherweight (130 lbs) crown. The end for the 31 year-old Matsuzaki, 31, came by RTD (Referee Technical Decision) at the 3:00 minute mark in round 8.
The new Japanese Super Bantamweight Champion Rikki Naito, 22, remains undefeated in nine clashes and looks forward to more tough fights.
The entertaining card at the Korakuen Hall was a promotion of Reason Sports of Tokyo.
