YAMADA DETHRONES HONG TO SNATCH WBO TITLE
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 09 Feb 2014
Yamada.
Chuncheon, KOREA--In a fast-paced action fight, Japan's Mako Yamada outhustled and outpointed defending WBO minimum weight champion Su-Yun Hong over ten rounds at the city gymnasium here.
The shorter Yamada fought with laser-guided precision, sweeping the first three rounds to befuddle the taller defending champion who was heavily breathing starting in the second frame.
By the fourth, and egged on by hometown crowd, Hong upped his tempo a bit, making the fight exciting with both fighters taking and giving punches.
Yamada's speed and volume-punching proved too much, however, as she cruised to a split decision victory.
Neutral judge Salven Lagumbay of the Philippines scored it 96-94 for Yamada, Japan's Katsuhiko Nakamura saw it 97-93 for Yamada, while Korean judge Joint Sum Kwon had it 97-96 for Hong. The Korean judge scored three of the rounds a 10-10.
Referee Danrex Tapdasan observed that the defending champ Hong was already breathing heavily as early as the second round.
A possible rematch can be worked out, according to WBO Asia Chairman Leon Panoncillo who supervised the bout. Hong's handlers own an option to Yamada's next defense.
Yamada's handlers, meanwhile, can also bid to hold the fight in Japan, which has recently affiliated itself to the WBO in a special ceremony last year with no less than WBO President Paco Valcarcel in attendance.
With the win, Yamada now boasts of 7 wins, no loss with 2 KO's while the dethroned Hong tastes her first defeat against 9 wins.
NOTES: Former ALA fighter and RP champion Bart Abapo took time off from his job as a boxing trainer here to visit this writer and WBO chief Leon Panncillo and referee Tapdasan...Chuncheon is just two hours away from communist country North Korea...JBC's Aaron Ning is probably the hardest-working boxing official in Korea...
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
CUBAN FUTURE CHAMPIONS YOENLI HERNANDEZ, ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI & GUSTAVO TRUJILLO HEADLINE ‘FISTS OF FURY 8’
Wed, 01 Oct 2025USA Boxing Finishes Canada Duel Undefeated
Wed, 01 Oct 2025Dana White Seeks to Make Significant Changes in the World Boxing
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 01 Oct 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 29 September 2025: Ferreira Retains IBF 135 Belt by Outpointing Moneo; Clavel Dethrones IBF 105 Champ Cudos
By Eric Armit, Tue, 30 Sep 2025Canelo Alvarez Facing Extended Layoff After Crawford Loss; Surgery Confirms Injury Rumors
By Dong Secuya, Tue, 30 Sep 2025Dante Stone is last American standing in Inaugural WBC Grand Prix
Tue, 30 Sep 2025Age Defying Triumph: At Age 50 Toshihiko Era Wins World Title
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 30 Sep 2025TKO and Zuffa Boxing sign streaming agreement with Paramount
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 30 Sep 2025Boxing Ephemera, Pacquiao’s Mouthguard, and the Meaning of It All
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Tue, 30 Sep 2025A turning point for global sport: IBA President Umar Kremlev and Donald Trump Jr join forces
Mon, 29 Sep 2025Rosia captures PBF super fly title
Mon, 29 Sep 2025Tancontians starred 2025 Sports Heroes Night
Mon, 29 Sep 2025“Thrilla” guest list
By Joaquin Henson, Sun, 28 Sep 2025Why Do So Many Boxers Play eGames?
Sun, 28 Sep 2025PH Chess Wizard Marius Constante Shines
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 28 Sep 2025