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:
OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND QUOTES FROM TODAY’S OFFICIAL WEIGH-INS AND PRESS CONFERENCE FOR MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS’ HIGHLY ANTICIPATED U.S. DEBUT TOMORROW, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29
Sat, 29 Nov 2025Tagaytay Hosts 3rd Asian Chess Championship for Disabled 2025
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 29 Nov 2025WEIGHTS FROM PROBOXTV’S ‘THE CONTENDER SERIES’ AT SAVE MART CENTER IN FRESNO, SAT., NOVEMBER 29
Sat, 29 Nov 2025BIRMINGHAM WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS BEN WHITTAKER PREPARES FOR MATCHROOM DEBUT
Fri, 28 Nov 2025Coach Marvin Somodio: Full of Life and Punch at 42
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Fri, 28 Nov 2025Boston Ends Detroit's Winning Streak at 12; Celtics Trip Pistons, 117-114 at the Garden
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 28 Nov 20257-Eleven Run 2026 set on Jan. 31-Feb. 1
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 28 Nov 2025Carlos Cañizales Forced to Cancel Flight to Thailand for WBC World Title Defense
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 27 Nov 2025World Boxing Champions Promotions to Present Manny Pacquiao & Freddie Roach with Inaugural “Centurion Awards” During Manny Pacquiao Promotions Event on November 29
Thu, 27 Nov 2025Atif Oberlton Takes on Vaughn Alexander on Saturday, December 6th at The 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
Thu, 27 Nov 2025Iligan tops in PEKAF Mindanao qualifying tourney
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 27 Nov 2025INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME TO ANNOUNCE CLASS OF 2026 ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4th
Thu, 27 Nov 2025World Renowned Boxing Trainer Bob Santos Launches Private Boxing Camp in Las Vegas
Thu, 27 Nov 2025Eight Boxers Remain in WBC Grand Prix Finals On December 20
Wed, 26 Nov 2025WBA/WBO Cruiserweight Champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez Confirms World Title Fight with David Benavidez on Cinco de Mayo in Las Vegas
Wed, 26 Nov 2025