Naoko Fujioka Wins Tough Fight With One Extremely Favorable Scorecard

Naoko Fujioka’s second half adjustment gained the battle in profitable American debut

Japanese WBA flyweight champion Naoko Fujioka (18-2-1, 7ko) is placing the title on the road towards robust Mexican fighter Sulem Urbina (12-1, 2ko). This battle shall be a fan-friendly battle given the aggressive model of the champion and the never-say-die perspective of the challenger.

Urbina shall be coming into this battle with a chip on her shoulder. Her solely defeat got here by the hands of present WBC champion Marlen Esparza, and she or he has been hungry to avenge that defeat. Nonetheless, she is aware of the main focus needs to be on the WBA champion. During an interview with 3kingsboxing, Urbina made it clear that fans will see a more ferocious fighter, and that if staff Fujioka thinks she is straightforward work, they’re in for a shock.

The ageless, 45-year-old Fujioka comes into this battle with quite a lot of expertise, being a five-divisional champion, competing since 2009. She is seen as the favourite on this bout and is making her first look in the US. The WBA champion has not misplaced a battle since difficult then-WBC flyweight champion Yessica Chavez in October 2016. Moreover, she bounced again instantly by profitable the vacant WBA title by knocking out Isabel Millan in March 2017.

THE CHALLENGER COUNTERPUNCHING WAS A PROBLEM

Sulem Urbina stored her phrase, popping out trying ferocious with arduous left and proper hook-counters. She was preventing in shut and going to the physique whereas touchdown good overhand rights. She was actively profiting from the champion coming ahead and holding her head on the centerline. Fujioka would cost again by touchdown arduous uppercuts to the physique and was starting to land the jab whereas sustaining a sturdy physique assault.

THE CHAMPION MADE THE ADJUSTMENT

Because the battle would proceed, the champion used her superior footwork to confuse the challenger. She slid facet to facet, touchdown the jab and straight hand. Fujioka utilized efficient aggression with a continued physique assault, touchdown left and proper hooks. Urbina was starting to decelerate. Nonetheless, she nonetheless linked with arduous proper and left hook-counter punches that will halt the champion’s momentum.

Fujioka’s expertise got here into play going into the championship rounds. She was touchdown the jab and arduous proper hook-counters. Her physique assault was on full show and paying dividends, slowing down her opponent. Nonetheless, Urbina wouldn’t hand over. She began transferring facet to facet, touchdown the tougher counter-punches that pushed the champion again at occasions.

Subsequent, each ladies determined to battle in a phonebooth. The busier champion was touchdown good combos and the challenger was touchdown these counter hooks. When the ultimate bell sounded, it was going to be fascinating to see which model the judges would favor.

One decide scored it a draw (95-95). Nonetheless, the opposite two judges noticed it 99-91 and 96-94 in favor of Naoko Fujioka. This creator has no thought what battle the decide was watching that dropped a disrespectful scorecard of 99-91. 3kingboxing scored it 96-94 for Fujioka. Regardless of the suitable fighter profitable, it’s a disgrace these kind of scorecards proceed to plague the game.

By: Garrisson Bland

Featured Article: Is Tyson Fury Using The COVID “Invisibility” Card?