By Joe Koizumi

Perennial contender, JBC#1 Daisuke Sakamoto (14-8-3, 8 KOs), 147, finally acquired the interim Japanese welterweight belt as he managed to win a hard-fought decision (97-93 twice, 97-94) over #2 Makoto Kawasaki (9-5-1, 2 KOs), 146.75, over ten see-saw rounds on Friday in Tokyo, Japan. Since the legitimate titlist Toshio Arikawa is recovering from an injury, the JBC authorized the interim title bout with the winner to face Arikawa in the next bout.