Yoshikawa wins vacant WBO female 112lb belt

By Joe Koizumi

Japanese speedster Nana Yoshikawa (7-1, 4 KOs), 112, impressively acquired the vacant WBO female flyweight belt by a majority decision (96-94 twice, 95-95) as she took the initiative from the outset, withstood persistent retaliation of ex-WBO 108-pound titlist Eun-Hye Lee (8-1, 3 KOs), 110.75, from Korea, and took points down the stretch over ten sizzling rounds on Sunday in Sakai, Japan. It was one of the candidates for Fight of the Year since they mixed it hard and displayed all they had to entertain the audience. Yoshikawa always initiated her attack in the mix-up competition, but Lee occasionally fought back hard with solid counters. It was unfortunate that Lee sustained a bad lump caused by an accidental butt that became bigger and bigger as the contest progressed. Yoshikawa had the upper hand with her faster combinations, but Lee retaliated with a harder punch at a time.

Yoshikawa emotionally expressed her gratitude for warm encouragements of her staff and supporters, saying, “Thanks to your supports I could win the long-anticipated world belt.” Nana became the very first world champ born in the traditional city Sakai that produced a national poet named Ms. Akiko Yosano. Yoshikawa couldn’t write such a poem as Akiko but wrote a new chapter in the female fistic history. Promoter: Sakai Higashi Mitsuki Promotions.