Palawan warrior Erson Trinidad fought with fearless courage from start to finish, but Japan’s Takero Kitano claimed the vacant OPBF minimumweight title via unanimous decision (99–91, 100–90, 100–90) at the Ohashi Promotion card tonight, August 19, in Tokyo, Japan.
Takero Kitano (11–1–1, 4 KOs) controlled the early rounds with a sharp left straight, but the proud Filipino Trinidad (10–6–1, 6 KOs) refused to back down.
From the fourth round onward, the determined Erson pressed forward, landing hard left hooks and right hands and forcing Kitano to retreat and circle away to stay out of range.
Though the 22-year-old Kitano finished well ahead on the scorecards, he held back his full attack — clear proof of the real threat Trinidad posed.
The 28-year-old fighter from Puerto Princesa walked through every exchange, never slowing, never giving up.
“I’m relieved to win, but my performance needs work — I couldn’t finish Trinidad. The Filipino is strong,” said the new OPBF 105-lb champion.
That says it all. Erson Trinidad may not have won the belt, but he won everyone’s respect — a true warrior, strong and unyielding until the final bell.
We are proud of you, young hermanos! 🇵🇭🙏🥊
TANAKA RAVAGES YANONG
In the welterweight fight of the evening, Japanese slugger Sora Tanaka (6-1, 6 KOs) shocked and ravaged Reymond Yanong of Negros Occidental in less than three minutes of action.
With his quick TKO win, the 25-year-old Sora Tanaka gets back into the winning circle, wanting more scalps in the 147-pound weight class.
Photo: Newly crowned OPBF minimumweight champion Takero Kitano stands with the belt alongside ring girls and his father/coach Ryo Kitano. Kitano is promoted by the influential promoter Hideyuki Ohashi.
Carlos Costa is a Veteran Boxing Reporter in Cebu 🇵🇭carlos@hotmail.com
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