Date: 13th February 1999
Venue: Ariake Colosseum, Tokyo, Japan
Title: WBA World Super-featherweight Title
Promoter: None
Takanori Hatakeyama
(
22
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0
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1
)
Weight: 130 lbs
Saul Duran
(
27
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3
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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.