The red-hot motion simply retains on coming in Japan. Earlier right this moment, throughout day two of the multi-title struggle extravaganza going down in Tokyo, largely unknown South African Phumelele Cafu upset defending WBO super-flyweight champion Kosei Tanaka, this by way of 12 spherical cut up resolution in what was an excellent, all-action battle. 30 12 months previous Cafu, often known as “The Fact,” lived as much as his nickname, with him edging the all the time thrilling Tanaka by scores of 114-113, 114-113, the third decide having 29 12 months previous Tanaka the winner by the identical rating.
A heavy knockdown scored by the challenger in spherical 5 proved to be the distinction, with the 10-8 spherical for Cafu seeing him to the razor-thin resolution victory. Now 11-0-3(8), Cafu arrived as an unknown and as a stiff underdog however he leaves Japan as a world champion. 4-weight champ Tanaka, who has given us quite a few thrillers throughout his implausible profession, falls to 20-2(11).
Tanaka received his jab going early on, the struggle a sluggish affair firstly, with no signal of what was to return. However we must always have identified it will be a terrific struggle, as Tanaka is so typically concerned in fan-friendly fights. And so it proved, as Cafu got here on robust. Clearly well-schooled and proficient, Cafu confirmed a decent defence, whereas he appeared harmful with each his left hand and his proper. Sitting down on his photographs now, Cafu additionally confirmed tremendous counter-punching expertise.
It was a giant proper hand to the top that despatched Tanaka clattering down in spherical 5, however the Japanese warrior has been down earlier than and recovered and he did so once more right this moment. From right here on in it was just about a conflict. Each males went to the physique successfully, and painfully, and there was scarcely a clinch in sight. Tanaka managed to start out driving Cafu again within the later rounds, and Tanaka’s quick, relentless volley of punches have been one thing to behold.
However Cafu confirmed how robust he’s, and there was some fierce buying and selling, this electrifying the group. Cafu was tiring within the last minutes, as Tanaka stored on coming, slinging out leather-based. The 2 brawled within the last two rounds, and once in a while it appeared as if Tanaka may simply overwhelm his rival, within the last session particularly. As a substitute, the 2 punched it out to the ultimate bell.
It was a terrific struggle and a rematch between these two appears to be a pure. For now, South Africa has a brand new world champion.
