In a razor thin split decision, undefeated Takahiro Shigee (9-0-1, 7 KOs) of Japan outpointed Filipino Dayer "Die Hard" Gabutan (18-3-3, 9 KOs) in their super bantamweight non-title 8-rounder Sunday night (Aug 25) at Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo, Japan.
The All-Japanese panel of judges voted: 77-76 (twice) for Shigee, while the third judge saw the fight 77-76 for Gabutan.
In the card's main event, middleweight Olympic gold medalist Ryota Murata (1-0) of Japan won his first pro fight by rocking and knocking out in two rounds compatriot Akio Shibata (21-8-1, 9 KOs). Earlier this year, the 27-year old Ryota Murata signed a promotional agreement with Top Rank.
In another intense clash, Venezuelan former world champ Jorge Linares (34-3, 22 KOs) scored a round 3 technical knockout win over unheralded Berman S?nchez of Nicaragua. Time was 1:09. Linares, 28, is promoted by Akihito Honda's Teiken Boxing.
Finally, 26-year-old slugger Keita Obara (9-1, 8 KOs) of Tokyo made the first defense of his Japanese super lightweight title by knocking out Takenaka So (18-7-2, 8 KOs) of Osaka during the rough action of round 3. Time was 2:34.
Tonight?s action card in Tokyo was a production of Misako Promotions.
Photo: Takahiro Shigee with his manager Sunday in Tokyo, Japan.
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