20 years ago
Lorenzo Parra vs Trash Nakanuma
Date: 3rd January 2005
Venue: Ariake Colosseum, Tokyo, Japan
Title: WBA World Flyweight Title
Promoter: Ohashi Promotions
Referee: Armando Garcia
Tv: TV Tokyo
Lorenzo Parra
(
25
-
0
-
0
)
Weight: 111¼ lbs
Trash Nakanuma
(
25
-
5
-
0
)
Weight: 111½ lbs
On January 3, 2005, Lorenzo Parra stepped into the ring at the Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo, Japan, to defend his WBA World Flyweight Title against Trash Nakanuma. Parra, an undefeated champion with a record of 25-0, was making the third defence of the belt he had won from Eric Morel in December 2003. Nakanuma, a seasoned contender with 25 wins and five losses, was facing him, looking to capitalize on home advantage in front of a supportive Tokyo crowd.
Parra, a fighter known for his sharp boxing skills and durability, weighed in at 111¼ lbs, slightly lighter than Nakanuma’s 111½ lbs. The fight began with Parra asserting his jab and lateral movement, looking to keep the challenger at a distance. Nakanuma, however, pressed forward, trying to close the gap and land his punches, forcing moments of close-range exchanges where he aimed to wear down the Venezuelan champion.
The pace of the fight ebbed and flowed, with Nakanuma occasionally finding success when he managed to pin Parra against the ropes. For his part, Parra showcased his ring IQ by using angles to escape and counterpunch effectively. The champion’s ability to control the tempo became more evident as the rounds progressed, with his cleaner shots and superior footwork allowing him to stay ahead.
As the fight entered its later stages, Nakanuma’s persistence began to show signs of fading while Parra maintained his composure and work rate. The Venezuelan’s sharper punches and ring generalship proved decisive as he continued to pick apart the challenger in the exchanges. By the final bell, Parra had done enough to retain his title.
The judges’ scorecards reflected Parra’s control of the fight, with Eung-Myung Bae scoring it 115-113 and Raul Caiz Sr. and Erkki Meronen seeing it 116-112. The unanimous decision victory marked Parra’s third successful defence of the WBA flyweight crown, further solidifying his status as a dominant force in the division.
This victory added to an impressive title run for Parra, who had previously defended the belt against Takefumi Sakata in a closely contested majority decision at the same venue in June 2004. Yo Sam Choi in a unanimous decision in Seoul later that year. Following the win over Nakanuma, Parra made two more successful defences, including a unanimous decision over Brahim Asloum in Paris, before losing the title in a rematch with Sakata in March 2007.