Lito Dante's Fantastic OPBF Win in Photos from the Camera of Naoki Fukuda (FIGHT PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 02 Apr 2019
Sunday night in Yokohama marked one of Filipino Lito Dante's most rewarding victories in his long boxing career.
A knock out win over an undefeated promising boxer, ranked by the WBC as the world's # 3 fighter, claiming the Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) title in the land of Japan are the ingredients of a fantastic, laudable achievement for the veteran warrior from Bohol.
The Filipino Lito Dante (16-10-4, 8 KO's) overpowered the heavy-handed Japanese champion Tsubasa Koura (14-1, 9 KO's) in the twelve and final round to capture the OPBF Minimumweight Belt Sunday, March 31, in Yokohama, Japan, and fight fans here in the Philippines are still delighted and appreciative for the stunning win.
The climax of the dramatic battle unfolded in the combat's last round when Lito Dante unleashed a serious of violent unanswered right hooks over Koura, propelling the Nippon boxer wounded and groggy backwards towards the ropes near Japanese own red corner.
Right there, Lito Dante intensified his furious attack, giving it all, hurting the Koura even further with more damaging blows, all of them to the head, which prompted third man Tetsuya Iida to waive the fight off to spare Koura of unnecessary punishment. Official time of the stoppage was 1:18 in round 12.
All the while, award-winning boxing photographer Naoki Fukuda -- in my humble opinion the best boxing photographer in the world -- was at ringside taking photos of the exciting action, and here is his phenomenal work.
Thank you for sharing with Filipino Boxing fans your fantastic, dramatic photos of the victory of Boholano Lido Dante. Dōmo arigatō, どうもありがとう, sir!
Isn't the triumph of Lito Dante in Yokohama awesome? And, isn't Naoki Fukuda one heck of an amazing boxing photographer, perhaps the best in the planet?
Photos courtesy of Naoki Fukuda
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