53 years ago

Date: 9th February 1969

Venue: Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, Japan

Title: WBA World Featherweight Title

Promoter: None

Shozo Saijo
( 18 - 5 - 2 )
Weight: 125 1/2 lbs

Pedro Gomez
( 24 - 1 - 2 )
Weight: 123 1/4 lbs

Shozo Saijo made the first defence of his WBA World Featherweight Title against Venezuela's Pedro Gomez in his hometown, Tokyo, Japan.

Saijo had won the title by travelling to Los Angeles, California and winning a unanimous decision over local fighter Raul Rojas.

Gomez lasted the distance but lost by unanimous decision.

Scores: Ko Toyama 74-68 | Nick Pope 74-71 | Takeo Ugo 74-69.

Saijo defended his title a total of six times before losing to Antonio Gomez in 1971.