| |
|
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:
“It’s time, LFG” - Holly McMath Trilogy for WBC Title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53 , Tue, 13 Jan 2026IBA President Kremlev encourages sporting organisations to protect women’s sport following Trump’s statement on Imane Khelif , Tue, 13 Jan 2026REYES, STRICKLAND, BUSTAMANTE & SOUQUET SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AT WNT LEGENDS – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW , Tue, 13 Jan 2026Pumicpic fights Korean in Japan By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 13 Jan 2026No. 1 rated WBA Super Flyweight contender John “Scrappy” Ramirez remains patient and Looks forward to a 2026 World title shot , Tue, 13 Jan 2026Ironman 70.3 Davao on March 22 By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 13 Jan 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 12 JANUARY 2026: Dalton Smith Halts Subriel Matias in 5; Kabayel Stops Knyba in 3 By Eric Armit, , Mon, 12 Jan 2026Chess Players Association of Negros Occidental, Incorporated (CPANOI) – 2026 Opening Event By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 12 Jan 2026STUNNING SMITH DESTROYS MATIAS TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION , Sun, 11 Jan 2026Former WBC champ Bazooka Limón hospitalized in Mexico By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 11 Jan 2026Zuffa Boxing set to unveil its maiden card on January 23 in Las Vegas By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026‘I’ve got an army and army’s move in numbers’ Owen Corrigan returns for Light Heavyweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53 , Sat, 10 Jan 2026Pasalamat Festival Chess Tour 2026 to Push Through By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS & TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO PRESENT CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 - VERONA, NY , Sat, 10 Jan 2026ELIF TURHAN SIGNS NEW MULTI-FIGHT DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING – FIRST IBF WORLD TITLE DEFENCE DATE SET FOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 31 , Sat, 10 Jan 2026Driving Philippine Tennis Forward: Jean Henri Lhuillier Champions the 2026 Cebuana Lhuillier Tennis Tour By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 20262026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced , Sat, 10 Jan 2026‘I’m ready to make some noise’ Billy Quinncroft returns for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53 , Fri, 09 Jan 2026Dableo and Laylo's Team to Compete in Bulacan By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026Sanman Boxing present Yeerken vs. Carcedo WBA Asia South Title Clash in General Santos City on Feb 9 , Fri, 09 Jan 2026Hardstone adds 2 more title fights on January 26 By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026Panamerican Boxing Confederation Partners with Xempower for Digital and AI-Driven Transformation , Fri, 09 Jan 2026IGMOB TALENT GROUP Launches www.IGMOBTalent.com to Represent Fighters, Entertainers, and Rising Talent Across Sports & Media , Fri, 09 Jan 2026SEAG Davao-based athletes eye International stints By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026Canoy banking on his ring experience against Kuse By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|