“Next Monster” Aratake upset by TKO

By Joe Koizumi

Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Former Asian Games silver medalist twice, eight-time national amateur champ Kazuma Aratake (amateur 58-8, 11 KOs/RSCs), 22, is called “Next Monster” following Monster Naoya Inoue by his promoter/manager Hideyuki Ohashi. In his second pro bout beneath the quadruple title promotion on Tuesday, more than astoundingly Kazuma Aratake (1-1, 1 KO), 105, was upset by unheralded Issa Sakata (4-1-1, 2 KO), 104.75, by an unexpected TKO at 2:03 of the third round in a scheduled six on Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan. With Naoya Inoue in attendance (since Aratake was his sparring partner to strengthen his dynamic visual acuity prior to his Akhmadaliev title go) the golden rookie dominated the first two rounds with great ease. But it was his serious mistake that he so harshly attacked his victim-to-be Sakata too early though Sakata then wasn’t hurt or slowing down. Aratake absorbed Sakata’s countering right hook to badly hit the deck. Though standing up, Kazuma was still so dazed that he was quickly dropped twice more—three times in total—to be halted by referee Iida. The audience became shocked and quiet to see the unbelievable upset. We wish Aratake may take a good rest and make a comeback soon.

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