In the semi-final of the 154th Phoenix Battle held at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on the 13th, Masanori Rikiishi (Ohashi) returned to the ring following his points defeat to Eduardo Nuñez (Mexico) in their IBF super-featherweight world title eliminator [Note: Context suggests title eliminator or vacant title bout] last May. Competing in a 60.0kg catchweight eight-rounder, Rikiishi secured a knockout victory over WBO Asia Pacific 11th-ranked Lito Badenas (Philippines) at 3 minutes and 9 seconds of the eighth round.
パデナスを倒した力石
Returning from surgery on his left shoulder, Rikiishi was forced to contend with a formidable opponent in Badenas, whose ability exceeded his ranking and record. Ultimately, Rikiishi’s composed technique and ringcraft allowed him to secure a clinical finish.
Rikiishi opened the contest with sharp lead-hand exchanges, landing a counter left to start. Showing keen reflexes against Badenas—who looked to land left hooks and overhand rights—Rikiishi connected with a counter left to the body in the third. However, the fourth round saw Rikiishi momentarily in trouble after being caught by a Badenas right counter. He responded by regaining ground with a barrage of left hooks and straights designed to neutralise that right hand.
As Rikiishi began timing the right hand with left uppercuts and varied his attack to the body, Badenas shifted his tactics to focus on short left hook counters. In the seventh, Badenas closed the distance to apply pressure, but Rikiishi managed the range with effective footwork and momentarily stunned his opponent with another counter left to the body.
In the final round, Badenas increased his output, targeting Rikiishi who was bleeding from the left ear due to a right hook. However, Rikiishi countered a Badenas right with a piercing left to the body. Following up immediately with a flurry of punches, he sent Badenas to the canvas. The Filipino was unable to recover from the body shot, and the referee completed the ten-count.
“I apologise for giving everyone a scare. I was trying to draw his lead and counter, but his right hand was better than expected and difficult to time,” Rikiishi remarked, before reaffirming his ambition to challenge for and capture a world title. Rikiishi (31) moves to 17-2 (12 KOs), while Badenas (25) stands at 8-3-1 (7 KOs).
プロテストに合格した藤木
Yuga Fujiki Passes Public Pro Test
Amateur standout Yuga Fujiki (18, Ohashi)—a nine-time amateur champion with an undefeated record of 49-0 (33 RSC)—underwent a public professional test, engaging in a three-round sparring session with reigning Japanese Youth lightweight champion Maiku Hashimoto (DANGAN). Facing the southpaw Hashimoto, Fujiki demonstrated his immense potential, showcasing a versatile jab, sophisticated body-head combinations, and effective counter-punching. Following the sparring and mandatory shadow boxing, his successful results were announced prior to the main event. Fujiki is scheduled to make his professional debut in the main event at Korakuen Hall on 10 June.
49.0kg Catchweight 8-Rounder
Takeo Kitano (Ohashi) [Decision 2-1 (78-74, 75-77, 77-75)] Kurt John Prebal (Philippines)
WBC 12th-ranked minimumweight Takeo Kitano, returning from a failed bid for the WBO Asia Pacific title last October, secured a narrow split-decision victory over the awkward southpaw Prebal.
Prebal’s sharp reflexes initially troubled Kitano, as the visitor landed left crosses and right hooks in the opening stanza. While Kitano relied on linear movement, Prebal utilised lateral angles to diversify his attack. However, Kitano gradually regained control by maintaining distance and timing his returns against Prebal’s lunges. A powerful left to the body in the sixth highlighted Kitano’s comeback, though he was momentarily staggered by a Prebal left cross in the seventh.
The final round saw a fierce exchange as Prebal pressed for a finish. Kitano remained composed, answering with a barrage of straight lefts that backed up the tiring Filipino. Kitano (21) improves to 10-1-1 (4 KOs), while Prebal (20) drops to 8-2 (5 KOs).
