Yudai Shigeoka returned to the win column but not to his previously enjoyed level of dominance.
The former WBC strawweight titlist rebounded from his first career defeat with a unanimous decision win over the Philippines’ Samuel Salva. Scores were 97-93, 97-93 and 96-94 for Shigeoka in their ABEMA-TV aired ten-round bout Saturday at Yamato Arena in Suita, Osaka, Japan.
Shigeoka (9-1, 5 knockouts) fought for the first time since his stunning defeat to Melvin Jerusalem on March 31. It kicked off a family free-fall; younger brother Ginjiro Shigeoka lost his IBF title to Pedro Taduran last month in Otsu.
Salva—whose lone defeat came versus Taduran–traveled to Japan like a fighter who forgot the script. The visiting Filipino opened strong as he landed straight right hands on an unsuspecting Shigeoka. It set an uncomfortable tone, as Shigeoka was forced to put in work to eventually surge ahead.
Shigeoka, The Ring’s No. 5-rated strawweight, found a home for his left hand to the body. Salva took the shots well, going against the scouting report that suggested it would be his undoing.
Two-way exchanges were frequent throughout the second half of the fight. Salva briefly stunned Shigeoka in round seven but the threat of a knockout quickly evaporated. Shigeoka loaded up with his right hook upstairs as well as his left hand over the top. The 26-year-old southpaw fought through a Salva rally early in the tenth to close the round and fight strong.
Salva (20-2, 13 KOs) snapped a three-fight win streak but was valiant in defeat.
Shigeoka held the full version of the WBC strawweight title for less than six months. He won an interim title last April and upgraded when he dethroned Panya Pradabsri (43-2, 27 KOs) last October. Ginjiro won his IBF title on the same show.
Also on the show, Kenbun Torres pulled off his second straight upset versus a WBO No. 1-rated contender.
This time, it was unbeaten KJ Cataraja (now 17-1, 13 KOs) who was removed from a title shot as Osaka’s Torres (15-5, 10 KOs) claimed a split decision win. Cataraja was the No. 1 contender to WBO 115-pound titlist Kosei Tanaka (20-1, 11 KOs).
Torres previously blasted out Reymart Gaballo, the WBO’s No. 1-rated bantamweight at the time, in the first round on May 10 in Pasay City, Philippines.
Both bouts aired on the undercard of the Lerato Dlamini-Tomoki Kameda rematch.
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The post Yudai Shigeoka Rebounds With Points Win Over Samuel Salva; Kenbun Torres Shocks KJ Cataraja appeared first on The Ring.
