Hasegawa, Aoh win gold in Japan

By Joe Koizumi

Former WBC bantam champ Hozumi Hasegawa (29-3, 12 KOs), 125.75, acquired the vacant WBC featherweight belt as he jumped up two divisions and defeated previously unbeaten Mexican Juan Carlos Burgos (25-1, 18 KOs), 125.75, by a unanimous decision (117-110 twice and 116-111) over twelve hard-fought rounds on Friday in Nagoya, Japan,

Hasegawa sometimes overcame tough moments and remained aggressive, steadily piling up points to show his superiority in ring experience and counterpunching. But Burgos finely displayed his talents, heart and gameness against the Japanese hero who thus conquered a couple of championships. Hasegawa will be obliged to face Jhonny Gonzalez in his initial defense due to the WBC’s order.

By Joe Koizumi

Japanese southpaw Takahiro Aoh (20-2-1, 9 KOs), 130, impressively captured the WBC super-feather belt as he dropped defending champ Vitali Tajbert (20-2, 6 KOs), 129.5, with a smashing straight left in the third round and controlled the proceedings with his constant aggressiveness to win a unanimous decision ( 117-112, 115-112 and 116-112) over twelve fast rounds on Friday in Nagoya, Japan.

It was Aoh’s career-best performance as he maintained the initiative all the way against Tajbert’s occasional retaliation with his trademark left hooks. For Aoh, it was his second coronation, following his reign in the feather division.