Yusuke Kobori has claimed the WBA lightweight title after defeating champion Jose Alfaro by a technical knockout in Tokyo on Monday.
The knockout came two minutes and eight seconds into the third round and also came after Nicaraguan Alfaro had put together a combination of left hooks and a right straight to floor Kobori in the second.
But the Japanese fighter retaliated with a left hook to send Alfaro down - the referee stopping the bout when Kobori unleashed a series of blows soon after Alfaro had regained his feet.
"I'm very happy. He (Alfaro) was really strong, but I was a bit stronger mentally," Kobori said.
The 26-year-old, ranked seventh in the WBA, was making his first attempt to claim a world title and also improved his record to 23 wins, including 12 KOs, against two defeats and a draw.
Alfaro, 24, failed in his first defence of the title he won in December. His record now stands at 20 wins, including 18 KOs, against four defeats and one invalid bout.
Romanov to challenge Kobori for WBA lightweight title?
Romanov to challenge Kobori for WBA lightweight title?
The WBA lightweight title has been split between super champion Nate Campbell and a regular champion. Jose Alfaro was regular champ and failed his 1st defence to Yusuke Kobori - see below. A while back there was talk that Yuri Romanov was going to challenge for the WBA regular title. Romanov's in at #4. Romanov's manager also has Paulus Moses, who happens to be WBA #1. How long will it take for Yuri to get to that belt?
Re: Romanov to challenge Kobori for WBA lightweight title?
I think Moses took step aside money for this one to happen so will be next in line. I am sure i saw the fight that Alfaro won the title. Was it on a German undercard as some point perhaps?
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lefthook82
- Heavyweight

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Re: Romanov to challenge Kobori for WBA lightweight title?
how have the WBA been able to get away wth this nonsense and still have peeps wanting to fight for their belts
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hitman_hatton1
- Heavyweight

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Re: Romanov to challenge Kobori for WBA lightweight title?
i'd like to see romanov given the chance.
he was pure class against thaxton. 8)
he was pure class against thaxton. 8)
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overhand_right
- Heavyweight

Re: Romanov to challenge Kobori for WBA lightweight title?
lefthook82 wrote:how have the WBA been able to get away wth this nonsense and still have peeps wanting to fight for their belts
The WBA has so badly fooked up boxing with their multiple belts.
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Max Molyneux
- Heavyweight

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Re: Romanov to challenge Kobori for WBA lightweight title?
Only because Thaxton's lost his timing and reaching In with his shots properly.hitman_hatton1 wrote:i'd like to see romanov given the chance.
he was pure class against thaxton. 8)
Yuri's good but our domestic fighters he beat were never above domestic anyway.
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Phenomenal-Nutrition
- Heavyweight

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Re: Romanov to challenge Kobori for WBA lightweight title?
Thats Khans first title shot sewn up then, Khan-Romanov in 2009 for the pseudo-WBA
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overhand_right
- Heavyweight

Re: Romanov to challenge Kobori for WBA lightweight title?
Romanov would decapitate Khan.
They'll find another route.
They'll find another route.
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Phenomenal-Nutrition
- Heavyweight

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Re: Romanov to challenge Kobori for WBA lightweight title?
He can be outboxed, and might not be able to land on Khan much. You cant fight a world champ and not get hit in the faceoverhand_right wrote:Romanov would decapitate Khan.
They'll find another route.
Re: Romanov to challenge Kobori for WBA lightweight title?
Sadly it looks like both will gof ro bogus titles. Romanov's manager said they were going for the WBA regular title. And does anyone think Khan won't wait fora WBO shot, maybe even a vacant one?
Re: Romanov to challenge Kobori for WBA lightweight title?
Yuri does have massive trouble with tall, fast boxers. If he can land he puts Khan away however, I agree.overhand_right wrote:Romanov would decapitate Khan.
They'll find another route.
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hitman_hatton1
- Heavyweight

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Re: Romanov to challenge Kobori for WBA lightweight title?
ffs.Max Molyneux wrote:Only because Thaxton's lost his timing and reaching In with his shots properly.hitman_hatton1 wrote:i'd like to see romanov given the chance.
he was pure class against thaxton. 8)
Yuri's good but our domestic fighters he beat were never above domestic anyway.
it was a good performance.
so many nitpickers round here.
i'm not saying thaxton is the best thing since sliced bread am i.
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Max Molyneux
- Heavyweight

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Re: Romanov to challenge Kobori for WBA lightweight title?
No your not, but Romanov just used basics to beat Thaxton. Kinda like Limond he Is but on Euro level.
Not nitpicking but he hardly destroyed him either, just outboxed a guy who couldn't reach with his shots properly and cut him.
Not nitpicking but he hardly destroyed him either, just outboxed a guy who couldn't reach with his shots properly and cut him.
Re: Romanov to challenge Kobori for WBA lightweight title?
Dissected might be the world. It was superlative stuff from Yuri. But there are other styles out there that give him nightmares. I think he'll win a world title due to his punch and toughness.
Good fighter. As someone in the business suggested to me, if you wanted to give Khan a hard fight put him in a small ring with a well schooled puncher like Romanov.
Good fighter. As someone in the business suggested to me, if you wanted to give Khan a hard fight put him in a small ring with a well schooled puncher like Romanov.