Akitoshi Hokazono was an amateur Shooto champion. Akitoshi Hokazono was a rookie Shooto champion. Now, Akitoshi Hokazono is a world Shooto champion.
Hokazono has kept a low profile during his Shooto ascent. Having competed only seven times in the Shooto ring over his four year career, Hokazono was able to maintain a peculiar amount of anonymity as he climbed the Shooto ranks. July 21st marked only the third time that Hokazono competed at Japan’s fight mecca, Korakuen Hall. However, the 29 year old Osaka native made is a night to remember, as he became the fourth man to wind clasp the straps of the Shooto World Featherweight Championship around his waist.
Early, it was Kenji Osawa who put the pressure on Hokazono, but powerful counterstriking paved the way for Hokazono’s title victory. After trading shots through the first frame, Hokazono asserted himself late in the round with a hard left hook to the face of Osawa, that put him on the mat. Early in round two, Hokazono struck with a left-right hook combination that stumbled the Wajyutsu star. Parrying the aggressive punching of Osawa, Hokazono was able to dish out damage until the final bell, swelling Osawa’s right eye, and gashing him under his left.
In round three, Hokazono went for the finish as he took Osawa’s back, but Osawa was able to stand up, carrying Hokazono for a piggyback, defending ably. Though he was unable to close out the fight against Osawa the way he did two years ago, when he choked him out in only 65 seconds, Hokazono left no doubt in anyone’s mind who the champion was, as he took a unanimous decision victory to become the fourth World Featerweight Champion of Professional Shooto.
Another Shooto champion, “Lion” Takeshi Inoue, saw action in the semifinal bout of the evening. In what was seemingly intended to be a showcase fight for the young champion, the bout wound up as more of a showcase fight for his opponent, American Top Team youngster Cole Miller. Miller came out aggressively from the start of round one, flexing his stand up skills, and putting the champion on his heels, forcing the champion to take him to the mat. On the floor, Miller was able to use his tremendous length to frustrate the typically powerful ground punching of Inoue, stealing the first round from the champion.
The second and third round saw Inoue take Miller to the ground early, attempting to pound from top position, but he was continuously frustrated by the long-legged Miller, who was able to work his hips up on Inoue, forcing him to defend rather than attack as zealously as usual. While the third frame saw Inoue find greater success with economic, single power punches from the guard, Miller was game throughout, even attacking Inoue from his back with punches. When it went to the judges’ cards, it was clear that Inoue had done enough to win by imposing his gameplan over the final two rounds, but Miller had surely spoiled what was supposed to be an exhibition of Inoue’s talent, by validating his skill level against Shooto’s 65 kilogram ace.
In what proved to be the most hotly competitive bout of the evening, former World Featherweight Champion Ryota Matsune made his return to the Shooto ring after twenty months on the shelf due to a knee injury, taking on 2005 Featherweight Rookie Champion, Takeya Mizugaki. Both men were able to alternate early rounds, as the rookie ace shook off an early flying armbar attempt from Matsune, and pounded from top position. Back on the feet, Mizugaki was able to score with hard punches to earn himself the round. In the second round, Matsune was able to use his outstanding wrestling and grappling to pass guard, and control the top position. With under a minute left, Matsune was able to block an attempted throw from Mizugaki, and take his back, working to sink a choke with just under a minute left.
In the third round, both men traded on the feet, before Matsune got a takedown on Mizugaki, and sought to repeat the last round as he moved to half guard, and side control. However, after regaining full guard, Mizugaki was able to kick Matsune off of him, and scramble to his feet, where he scored with punches, and a late takedown. Both men fought with desperation until the final bell, with a palpable sense of tension hanging in Korakuen Hall.
While one judge gave the bout to Mizugaki with a 30-29 scorecard, the other two scored the bout 29-29, resulting in a majority draw. Again, it was the largely untested underdog showcasing his true ability against the heavy favorite. While neither Miller, nor Mizugaki were able to notch a victory, the strength of their performances showed that they’re no longer up-and-comers: they have arrived.
Crymson and Sustain Present Professional Shooto
July 21st, 2006
Korakuen Hall
Tokyo, Japan
Official Results:
2006 Shooto Welterweight Rookie Tournament Semifinal
Class B, 70 KG, 2R 5M
Yoshihiro Koyama (Paraestra Matsudo) defeated Yoshiki Noguchi (Paraestra Sapporo) by unanimous decision (20-17, 20-17, 20-18) at full time limit.
2006 Shooto Bantamweight Rookie Tournament Quarterfinal
Class B, 56 KG, 2R 5M
Takuya Mori (Paraestra Sapporo) defeated Takayuki Kobe (ALIVE) by majority decision (20-19, 20-19, 19-19) at full time limit.
2006 Shooto Featherweight Rookie Tournament Quarterfinal
Class B, 60 KG, 2R 5M
Teruyuki Matsumoto (Shooting Gym Osaka) defeated Kazuya Tamura (Mach Dojo) by submission via rear naked choke at 1:55 of the first round.
2006 Shooto Lightweight Rookie Tournament Semifinal
Class B, 65 KG, 2R 5M
Daisuke Ishizawa (Paraestra Sapporo) defeated Hiroshi Nakamura (Tokyo Yellow Mans) by KO via right hook at 4:26 of the second round.
Class A, 70 KG, 3R 5M
Yusuke Endo (Gokita Gym) defeated Clayton Guida (Hellhouse) by submission via armbar at 2:47 of the first round.
Class A, 60 KG, 3R 5M
So Tazawa (GUTSMAN Shooto Dojo) defeated Hiroyuki Tanaka (Chokushinkai) by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-28) at full time limit.
Class A, 56 KG, 3R 5M
Masatoshi Abe (Abe Ani Combat Club) defeated Junji Ikoma (Chokushinkai) by TKO via doctor’s stoppage due to a swollen eye at 2:06 of the first round.
Class A, 60 KG, 3R 5M
Takeya Mizugaki (Shooting Gym Hakkei) and Ryota Matsune (Paraestra Matsudo) fought to a majority draw (30-29, 29-29, 29-29) at full time limit.
Class A, 66 KG, 3R 5M
Takeshi Inoue (Shooting Gym Yokohama) defeated Cole Miller (American Top Team) by unanimous decision (30-28, 29-28, 29-28) at full time limit.
For The Vacant Shooto World Featherweight Championship
Class A, 60 KG, 3R 5M
Akitoshi Hokazono (Freelance) defeated Kenji Osawa (Wajyutsu Keisyukai A3) by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-28, 30-28) at full time limit.
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