Ruben Olivares vs. Takao Sakurai

Ruben Olivares 118 lbs beat Takao Sakurai 118 lbs by TKO at 2:28 in round 6 of 12

• Date: 1969-05-23
• Location: Forum, Inglewood, California, USA
• Referee: Joey Olmos
• Judge: Larry Rozadilla

"Mexico's ring hero, Ruben Olivares, remains unbeaten in 50 fights stopping Takao Sakurai of Tokyo after 2:28 of the 6th round of their scheduled 12 round scrap Friday night. Olivares unleashed a devastating body attack in the 5th frame and polished matters off in the next with the same belly target on sight. It produced three knockdowns and referee Joey Olmos didn't bother to count during Takao's last trip to the canvas. The action was fairly close until Olivares, admittedly confused by Sakurai's southpaw style, began to find the range in the 5th." -Associated Press

• Sakurai was credited with a 3rd round knockdown - a straight left. Olivares admitted it was a legitimate punch, but said he was only stunned and bounced up quickly.
• Sakurai claimed he had never before been off his feet, amateur or pro.
• Jack Rennie, the manager of world bantamweight champ Lionel Rose, was ringside and had promised the winner of this bout a shot at the title.
• Attendance - 12,277
• Gate - $74,045

Post fight comment

• "I was surprised I was able to knock him out so early. He has a lot of experience. He is really fast and clever." -Ruben Olivares