BOXERS INTO RING: FIGHT IN PROGRESS: WAJIMA KNOCKED DOWN AND OUT: ALBARADO ANNOUNCED VICTOR




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Background: United States challenger Oscar Albarado of Los Angeles emerged victorious from his first attempt at a world title after 15 gruelling rounds at Tokyo's Nihon University Auditorium Tuesday (4th June) with the World Boxing Association's Junior Middleweight Champion Koichi Wajima of Japan.

For the first 4 rounds the two boxers were evenly matched, with Wajima's speed successfully countering the stronger American's powerful over-hand and right-hand punches.

The tide turned in the fifth round when Albarado suddenly switched to a damaging series of sharp left jabs and uppercuts. Despite a bleeding nose Wajima fought back to keep the sixth and seventh rounds oven.

But taking advantage of Wajima's increasing tiredness and awollan even, Albarade took the next five rounds. Wajima took the 13th jans to the body, the 14th was even honours, but the fresher Albarado put Wajims to the audience of 11,000 Japanese as their champion stayod on the floor for more than a minute at his third downing and was technically counted out.

For Wajima, a 31-year-old formar truck-driver and one of Japan's most successful boxers, the bout put an and to his run of six victorious title defenses and may put an and to his boxing career. Albarado, 25 and ??? rated fifth in the junior middleweight class, added the victory to his record of 37 knockouts and 50 wins against six defeats and one draw.