Toshiya Ishii, Sho Nogami and Raito Kataoka all win OPBF title fights in Tokyo

Three OPBF title fight results in Tokyo

The historic Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan, served as the backdrop for an electrifying fight card promoted by Ohashi Promotions, where the Orient and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF), an affiliate of the World Boxing Council, held three thrilling title bouts across the light flyweight, flyweight, and super bantamweight divisions.

Raito Kataoka vs Ar Ar Andales

In the clash for the vacant OPBF light flyweight championship, rising Japanese prospect Raito Kataoka became the new ruler of the division after delivering a masterclass performance against experienced Filipino contender Ar Ar Andales.

Kataoka took control of the contest from the opening bell, showcasing exceptional footwork, sharp jabs, and quick combinations that effectively neutralized his opponent’s attack.

At the end of the fifth round, all three judges’ scorecards reflected total dominance in favor of the local fighter at 50-45. Kataoka’s control continued in the second half of the bout thanks to a brilliant mix of body and head strikes.

In the ninth round, following a brief exchange after an accidental clash of heads, Kataoka unleashed a devastating combination that forced referee Shuji Tereyama to halt the action at 2 minutes and 56 seconds.

With this emphatic TKO victory, Kataoka captured the green and gold OPBF belt in just his third professional fight.

Sho Nogami vs Shogo Tanaka

Meanwhile, the flyweight division delivered a dramatic twist in the mandatory championship clash between defending Japanese monarch Sho Nogami and contender Shogo Tanaka.

Nogami started strong, scoring an early knockdown with a left hook to the body followed by a right hand to the head. Controlling the opening rounds with rhythm and precision, the champion remained ahead on the scorecards after five rounds with identical scores of 48-46.

However, Tanaka steadily increased the pressure, closing the distance and landing with greater impact.

His perseverance paid off in the eighth round when he floored Nogami with a short right hand before launching a relentless follow-up attack that forced referee Tetsuya Iida to stop the contest at 1 minute and 26 seconds.

With this spectacular comeback TKO victory, Tanaka sealed an unforgettable performance to become the new OPBF flyweight champion and a two-belt ruler in the division.

Toshiya Ishii vs Ryuya Nihei

Finally, in the mandatory OPBF super bantamweight championship bout, Japanese titleholder Toshiya Ishii successfully completed the first defense of his crown by outpointing fellow countryman Ryuya Nihei via unanimous decision.

Ishii set the pace from distance behind accurate jabs, left hooks to the body, and crisp combinations, while Nihei attempted to respond with overhand rights and hooks from unorthodox angles.

By the midpoint of the contest, open scoring showed the champion leading on two cards at 50-45, while one judge scored it 48-47 for the challenger.

Maintaining relentless pressure down the stretch with body work and sharp one-two combinations, Ishii neutralized Nihei’s brave efforts through the final bell to secure the victory with official scores of 97-93, 100-90, and 100-90.