FILIPINO-JAPANESE Go Hosaka had a successful Japan debut after walking away with a split decision over Kanta Fukui at the Korkuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
The 24-year-old Hosaka did just enough to get the nod of two of the three judges. Judges Michiaki Someya and Kazuto Yoshida scored it 77-75 and 78-74 in favor of Hosaka, while judge Koji Tanaka saw it differently and scored it 77-75 for Fukui.
Hosaka and Fukui fought intelligently in the first few rounds of the eight-round fight. Fukui, however, stepped up the action and started to dictate the pace.
He controlled the fight in the next two rounds. Hosaka came alive in the seventh round and finished the fight strong to convince the two judges.
Hosaka improved to 5-0 with three knockouts, while Fukui dropped to 7-4-1 with five knockouts.
Hosaka fought all of his pro boxing career in the Philippines, fighting under the ALA Promotions banner.
He was one of the fighters that was being groomed by ALA Promotions to be the next generation of ALA Boys. Unfortunately, ALA Promotions and the ALA Gym was forced to close down in 2020. (EKA)