By Joe Koizumi
40-year-young ex-world 105-pound champ Katsunari Takayama (34-9, 12 KOs), 107.5, scored a unanimous decision (78-74 twice, 77-75) over Filipino Jerome Baloro (7-4-1, 4 KOs), 107.5, over eight fast rounds on Sunday in Osaka, Japan. For the veteran Takayama, it was his second comeback go since he failed to win the WBO light fly belt from Elwin Soto in Arlington, TX in 2021 as he recently decisioned Filipino Joel Lino this June. Faster and busier, Katsunari piled up more points and defeated the durable Filipino, seventeen years his junior.
Promoter: Taisei and Ishida Promotions.
This one is very rare. The lighter the weightclass, the quicker your light is extinguished. Coming back at 105 at the age of 40 and being able to keep up with those lightning reflexes is impressive even if it’s against mediocre competition. Congratulations.