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NIIDA VS TAKAYAMA TODAY IN JAPAN By Joe Koizumi PhilBoxing.com Sat, 07 Apr 2007 TOKYO, JAPAN -- A highly anticipated confrontation of the WBA 105-pound champ Yutaka Niida (20-1-2, 8 KOs) and WBA interim ruler Katsunari Takayama (18-2, 7 KOs), both of Japan, will take place today (Saturday) at the Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan. Niida, 28, tipped the beam at the 105-pound class limit, while Takayama, five years his junior, scales in at 104.75. The WBA officials are as follows: referee Takeshi Shimakawa (Japan); judges Medardo Villalobos (Panama), Russell Mora (US) and Michael Lee (Korea); and supervisor Alan Kim (Korea). This bout was supposed to be held last September, but Niida suffered a chest-bone fracture during a sparring session, so it was once cancelled. Takayama then faced a perennial top contender Carlos Melo of Panama to acquire the WBA interim belt by anunexpectedly one-sided decision in November. Now that Niida, making his fifth defense, recovered well, he welcomes the awaited encounter with the fast-moving and quick-punching compatriot Takayama. Niida, a capricious hard-puncher, captured the WBA minimum belt by defeating Thai veteran Chana Porpaoin on points in August 2001, but abruptly renounced it to hang up gloves temporarily. The then unbeaten enfant terrible again angered fight fans as he changed his mind and returned to ring warfare by directly having a shot at WBA champ Noel Arambulet only to lose a hairline decision in July 2003. Niida, a tiny swinger, dethroned the Venezuelan Arambulet by a unanimous verdict in their rematch in July 2004. Since then, Niida kept it four times by defeating Juan Jose Landaeta (W12), Jaewon Kim (W12), Eriberto Gejon (TW10) and Ronaldo Barrera (W12) to his credit. Niida$B!G(Bs potential power-punching, however, hasn$B!G(Bt been shown since his second coronation, so Japanese aficionados look forward to watching his sensational victory by displaying his superior power. Takayama is an up-and-coming speedster with fast footwork, busy body work and quick combinations. He once wrested the WBC belt by lopsidedly beating Mexican Isaac Bustos in April 2005, but forfeited it to Eagle Kyowa, the current WBC kingpin, via unanimous nod in August that year. It might be a good lesson for him, as Takayama improved a lot since by outscoring Filipino Rollen Del Castillo, world-rated Satoshi Kogumazaka and Melo. It will be such a competitive bout that it may be hard to predict who will be the winner, as Niida is a harder puncher, while Takayama is a faster boxer. Niida$B!G(Bs 14-month hiatus might effect his sharpness, and if so, Takayama may have an edge provided that he can outrhythm the champ with his unstoppable footwork and abundant stamina. Niida, good at counterpunching the willing mixer, may have a puncher$B!G(Bs chance against the fast-rising youngster. (4-6-07) Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joe Koizumi.  |
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