Filipino boxer Ayon Naranjo, who was hospitalized following a fight last Sunday in Yokohama, Japan, did not undergo surgery and is able to walk, and is in complete control of his faculties.
This was revealed yesterday by Cebu promoter Rex "Wakee" Salud, who is in constant communication with matchmaker Joe Koizumi of Japan.
Salud manages Eriberto "Yukka" Gejon, who failed in his attempt to wrest the WBA minimumweight title from Yutaka Niida in the co-main event of Sunday's card.
"Naranjo is able to walk. But he still needs to be under extra care. He will be back one week from now," Salud said, also indicating that Naranjo's manager Leonil Lazarito has remained in Japan to be at the side of his boxer.
Naranjo, who is Alfonso Barros Jr in real life, came into the fight armed with a 13-5 win-loss ledger, and an RP no. 1 superbantam ranking.
However, he run into a far more superior opponent in Jorge Linares of Venezuela, who came into the fight with a 16-0, 9 KO's record.
Meanwhile, following the Gejon-Niida fight, Akihiko Honda, the great impesario of Teiken Promotions, officially announced the other day (Sept.26), that the minimumweight
world title bout should now be using 6-oz gloves instead of the usual 8-oz.
Honda, sources said, is poised to take this matter up with the boxing bodies starting with the upcoming WBC Convention in (Spain) and the WBA (Seoul)convention, which this writer will be attending. "There is a big possibility of changing the rules."
Mr. Honda was quoted as saying: "Minimumweight title bout by 8 oz. glove is no good
for the audience (not to be exciting one). Only one problem is that the point of boxer's safety...."
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