By Joe Koizumi
Photos: Naoki Fukuda

Having renounced his IBF 105-pound belt by outgrowing the category, unbeaten hard-puncher Hiroto Kyoguchi (11-0, 8 KOs), 108, impressively decked his first bout in the light-flyweight division, when he dropped WBA#6 Indonesian Tibo Monabesa (18-1-2, 8 KOs), 107.5, three times to prompt the referee’s intervention at 2:20 of the fourth round in a scheduled ten on Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan.

Monabesa looked a stylish southpaw with good footwork, but was too fragile against Kyoguchi’s heavier shots, hitting the deck once in the third and twice more in the fatal fourth. Hiroto’s tight guard and countering appeared much improved after his relinquishment, and is gunning for a 108-pound title shot.

Shigeoka, 56-1, makes pro debut

Sensational amateur boy Ginjiro Shigeoka (1-0, 1 KO), 105, made a successful pro debut after his brilliant amateur mark of 56-1, 17 stoppages, as he displayed remarkable reflexes and hand speed as well in dropping Thailander Sanchai Yotboon (4-1, 4 KOs), 104.75, twice en route to a fine stoppage at 1:22 of the third round in a scheduled six. Ginjiro may have a possibility of surpassing the records of current world champs Naoya Inoue and Kosei Tanaka having gained the title in fewest pro bouts. He, still 18, is worth watching his progress.

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