By Daily Sports on January 1, 2018
Lanky Japanese speedster Ryoichi Taguchi (27-2-2 12 KOs), 107.75, unified the WBA and IBF 108-pound belts when he displayed a late surge to pound out a unanimous decision over Filipino Milan Melindo (37-3, 13 KOs), 107.5, twelve hard-fought gory rounds on Sunday in Tokyo, Japan.
The official tallies were as follows—Gustavo Jarquin (Nicaragua) 116-112, Francis Jackson (US) and Ignacio Robles (Panama) both 117-111, all in favor of Taguchi. The referee was Mark Nelson (US) who handled the fast-paced unification bout very well.
The WBA ruler Taguchi had a tough time coping with the shorter but sharper IBF titlist in earlier rounds, but the Japanese almost swept the second half by utilizing his advantageous height and reach.
They often made head collisions to see Melindo bleeding from gashes over both eyebrows and Taguchi from a cut on the forehead. In later rounds, Melindo was visibly fading and slowing down only to have Taguchi take the initiative to pile up important points down the stretch.
•Photo shows Ryoichi Taguchi.
Source Daily Sports
Posted January 1, 2018
You may also like...
AFN cancels National Trials following protests by athletes...
Lukaku Sets Europa League Goals Record In Inter...
Osimhen replies Lookman with 14th goal
Klopp Fumes as Liverpool Fail to Take Advantage...
Wolves Beat Beat Brastilasv In Europe's League
41 Nigerian footballers fail medical test
Nigerians slam Eagles’ reliance on Osimhen
2026 W’Cup miss, moment of profound sadness – NFF
Finidi charges Rivers players to score more
NFF apologises to Tinubu, Nigerians over Super Eagles’ World Cup miss
Osimhen big miss for Nigeria – DR Congo’s Sadiki
WCQ: Chelle claims DR Congo official used voodoo during penalty shootout
Anyanacho wins bronze at Islamic Game
FirstBank secures partnerships for Lagos Open
Nigeria wins best country crown at World Scrabble Champs
Our best wasn’t enough, Nwabali laments DR Congo defeat
'One of the best in Africa' - DR Congo coach admits Leopards are not on Super
We can’t celebrate yet – Chelle
Most Read
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,344 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,571 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,509 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,135 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,127 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,048 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (51,892 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,474 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,597 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,172 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,555 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,038 views)