Filipino Lito Dante Wins OPBF Minimumweight Belt Sunday in Japan
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 01 Apr 2019
Veteran Filipino warrior Lito Dante from the Paradise Island of Bohol, dominated, overpowered and knocked out in the 12th round heavy-handed Japanese champion WBC # 3 Tsubasa Koura to claim the OPBF Minimumweight Belt Sunday, March 31, in Yokohama, Japan.
The climax of the dramatic battle unfolded in the combat's last round when Lito Dante (16-10-4, 8 KO's) unleashed a series of violent unanswered right hooks over Koura (14-1, 9 KO's), sending the Nippon boxer wounded and groggy against the ropes near Koura's own red corner.
With his man hurt against the ropes, Lito Dante intensified his relentless attack, hurting the Japanese even further with more damaging blows, all of them to the head, including a brutal straight right to the jaw that forced referee Tetsuya Iida to stop the unbalanced war to spare his fellow countryman of more dangerous suffering. Official time of stoppage was 1:18 in round 12.
The clash was Tsubasa Koura's fourth defense of the green OPBF title that he captured by brutalizing and halting Filipino Jaysever Abcede in July of 2017. This time around, it was Koura the one getting pummeled and vaporized.
Lito Dante was accompanied in Yokohama, Japan, by veteran matchmaker Art Monis of Hardstone Boxing, who after the win, climbed to the ring proudly waving the glorious Filipino Flag.
The rewarding victory is Lito Dante's second consecutive win in the Land of the Rising Sun. The Boholano has fought three times in Japan, winning two, drawing one; and it is probable that he'd be back in the land of Fighting Harada to defend his newly acquired OPBF crown.
The battle of Tsubasa Koura vs Lito Dante for the OPBF Minimumweight Strap at the Osanbashi Hall in Yokohama, Japan, was a production of Reason Daiki Promotions.
The author Carlos Costa is a Panama boxing reporter living in the Philippines. Carlos can be reached by email carlos512@hotmail.com or whatsapp 09184538152.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
MANNY PACQUIAO IN CANASTOTA, NY (PHOTOS)
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 08 Jun 2025Introducing The Spartan Series: Vegas Fight Experience — Where Authentic Sparring Meets Cinematic Vegas Energy
Sun, 08 Jun 2025RESULTS FROM TONIGHT’S “HALL OF FAME FIGHT NIGHT” PRESENTED BY SALITA PROMOTIONS & ALL THE SMOKE FIGHT LIVE ON DAZN AT THE TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO
Sat, 07 Jun 2025Davis vs De Los Santos: The Fight That Never Was
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 07 Jun 20252 Filipino grandmasters join Touchmove chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 07 Jun 2025Keyshawn Davis Fight Canceled After Weight Miss, Mason-Nakathila Elevated to Main Event
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 07 Jun 2025Eumir Marcial Set to Battle Alexis Gaytán in Pacquiao's Comeback Show
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 07 Jun 2025SUNDAY: Fabio Turchi-Milans Volkovs Cruiserweight Showdown Headlines Italy Fight Card LIVE in the U.S. on ESPN+
Sat, 07 Jun 2025Bomogao KOs Rubio in 1st round
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 07 Jun 2025REYES CUP SET FOR ELECTRIFYING RETURN TO MANILA, OCTOBER 16–19
Sat, 07 Jun 2025King's Promotions June 19th Card at Wind Creek Event Center is Postponed Card Rescheduled for September 5th
Sat, 07 Jun 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 7 - AMATEUR BOXING CAREER OF MUHAMMAD ALI
By Maloney L. Samaco, Fri, 06 Jun 2025Indiana, Haliburton Do It Again, Pacers Shock OKC on the Road, 111-110
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 06 Jun 2025STAR BOXING PRESENTS SPECIAL PRESS CONFERENCE-MONDAY
Fri, 06 Jun 2025Undefeated Super Bantamweight Chavez Barrientes Returns June 7th Against Sharone Carter on Most Valuable Prospects 13 Card
Fri, 06 Jun 2025