23 years ago

Date: 13th February 1999

Venue: Ariake Colosseum, Tokyo, Japan

Title: WBA World Super-featherweight Title

Promoter: None

Takanori Hatakeyama
( 22 - 0 - 1 )
Weight: 130 lbs

Saul Duran
( 27 - 3 - 0 )
Weight: 129 1/2 lbs

Takanori Hatakeyama made the first defence of his WBA World Super-featherweight Title against Mexico's Saul Duran at the Ariake Colosseum, in Tokyo, Japan.

Hatakeyama, had become champion five months earlier when he scored a majority decision win against South Korea's Yong Soo Choi, the pair had fought to a split decision draw in October 1997.

Duran had previously challenged Stevie Johnson for the WBC World Lightweight Crown in September 1997, losing by unanimous decision.

The judges couldn't find a winner between Hatakeyama and Duran, one judge scoring for Hatakeyama, one for Duran, and the other, Gustavo Padilla 113-113, making it a split decision draw, meaning that Hatakeyama kept the belt.

Scores: Ferdinand Estrella 113-115 | Gustavo Padilla 113-113 | Lou Tabat 114-111.

Hatakeyama, lost his title in his next defence against Mongolian Lakva Sim (L Tko 5). In his next outing, Hatakeyama, dethroned Venezuelan Gilberto Serrano, becoming the WBA World Lightweight Champion.