LAURENTE SCORES WIN IN JAPAN

Former Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation lightweight ruler Dennis Laurente of the Johnny Elorde Stable scored one important victory the other day when he knocked down previously unbeaten Japanese no. 9 lightweight Yuki Yoshizawa in the opening round and went on to score a well-received majority decision over 10 rounds at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.

Laurente used a smashing left hook to put Yoshizawa on all fours in the get-go, before eking out a 98-93, 96-95, 96-96 edge.

The southpaw Laurente, who was cheered from the gallery by OPBF champs Randy Suico and Rodel Mayol as well as ex-WBC flyweight boss Malcolm Tunacao and Juanito Ablaca, improved to 23 wins, 2 losses, 5 draws with 12 KO's while Yoshizawa, who absorbed his first loss, dipped to 12 wins-1 loss, 5 KO's.

Last March 5, Laurente lost his OPBF title with a split decision loss to Japan's Chikashi Inada in a rematch of their previous outing won by Laurente by majority decision.