Second-ranked Makoto Kawasaki of RK Kamata Boxing Family gym gained a 10-round unanimous decision over top-ranked Koki Koshikawa of Ichiriki Boxing Gym to win the vacant Japanese super welterweight crown on April 2 at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall.
The title was left vacant by Hironobu Matsunaga of Yokohama Hikari Boxing Gym.
While both Koshikawa and Kawasaki fought almost evenly, it was Kawasaki who landed more effective body shots at close range. There were no knockdowns in the fight.
It was Kawasaki’s third crack at a Japanese title. Kawasaki has become the very first champion of the RK Kamata gym which was founded 15 years ago.
With the victory, Kawasaki, who will turn 38 next month, improved his record to 13 wins, including two KOs, against eight losses and a draw. Koshikawa fell to a 9-4 win-loss tally with six KOs.
