By Joe Koizumi
Photo by Boxing Beat

Fightnews.com

Formerly OPBF and Japanese lightweight champ Yoshitaka Kato (30-7-2, 9 KOs), 135, decked his first victory since his last win over Nihito Arakawa two years ago, when he withstood the opening attack of hard-punching Filipino Leonardo Doronio (15-14-3, 10 KOs), 135, showed his relentless retaliation and eked out a majority decision (97-94, 96-94 95-96) over ten give-and-take heats on Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan. Doronio, who looked better and more dangerous than his mediocre credentials indicated, displayed a very furious attack to take the leadoff in the first round. But Kato, a shaven skulled veteran, fought back hard from the second and opened a gash under the left optic of the game Filipino. Doronio occasionally scored with a strong shot at a time, while Kato responded with solid left-right combos to the Filipino warrior to earn more votes in later rounds.

Promoter: Kadoebi Jewel Promotions.