By Joe Koizumi
Unbeaten Japanese heavyweight prospect Kyotaro Fujimoto (3-0, 2 KOs), 224, impressively chalked up a fine TKO victory over Afa Tatupu (7-3, 6 KOs), 221.25, at 0:47 of the second round on Thursday in Tokyo, Japan. OPBF#8 Fujimoto caught the New Zealander with a smashing straight right, floored him early in round two and furiously follow it up with accurate combinations. He had Tatupu staggering to the ropes to make him turn his back to prompt the referee’s intervention. Fujimoto, formerly a K-1 battler with karate experience, is still 25 years of age, having made a successful debut in the international style game last December. He is scheduled to meet Clarence Tillman, also of New Zealand, in his fourth pro bout beneath the WBC/WBA world title unification bout of Kazuto Ioka and Akira Yaegashi in Osaka on June 20.
Unbeaten knockout artist, Japan’s #9 super-light prospect Shuhei Tsuchiya (13-0, 12 KOs), 135, failed to extend his KO streak to thirteen though he badly dropped Indonesian Heri Adriyanto (15-15-2, 9 KOs), 134.5, with a solid left-right combination in the third, winning a nearly shutout verdict (79-72 twice and 79-73) over eight. More sophistication will make ex-kick-boxer Tsuchiya a top-notch contender in the near future here as he still looked rough-and-tumble.
Promoter: Kadoebi Jewel Promotions
