Jeff Jackson's video: Alfonso L pez vs Shoji Oguma - Highlights FLYWEIGHT Classic

** NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED ** Support me on PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/jeffjacksonboxing Support me on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/jeffjacksonboxing April 21st, 1976. Undefeated Alfonso López aka "Piedrita Small-tractor" takes on former WBC World Flyweight Champion Shoji Oguma in the first defense of his WBA World Flyweight Championship in Tokyo, Japan. This bout was scored using the 5 point must system. Prefight records; López 23(14)-0, Oguma 25(14)-3. In February 1976, López won the WBA World Flyweight Title via TKO15 over Erbito Salavarria in their second meeting. Both fighters met for the first time back in June 1974 where Alfonso won via UD10. For his first title defense, he was set to take on the 24 year old southpaw from Koriyama, Fukushima. In October 1974, Oguma garnered the WBC World Flyweight Title via SD15 over Betulio Gonzalez in their second meeting. They had fought each other for the first time 5 months earlier where Shoji beat Betulio via UD10. Oguma was then relieved of his WBC Crown for his first defense in January 1975, where he lost via MD15 to the legendary defensive master Miguel Canto. Between April 1975 and February 1976, he rebounded with 4 consecutive KO wins to earn another world title shot against unbeaten WBA World Flyweight Champion from Chepigana, Panama. From the opening bell, both fighters engaged in a skill-filled bout with lots of feints, counters and lateral movements (albeit mostly by the champion) to produce a highly tactical warfare. The first 6 minutes was in favor of López who opened up a cut above Oguma’s right eye with a pinpoint right hand in round 1 and in round 2, he scored another accurate right hand that sent Shoji to the canvas for the first time in his career. The resilient Japanese challenger began targeting the body from round 3 on to nullify Alfonso’s elusive footwork. In round 5, a number of left hands to the boy by Shoji hurt and moved the Panamanian technician backwards. Oguma’s investment to the body began to pay real dividends between rounds 6 and 8, as he evidently slowed López which allows him to connect at a higher rate upstairs and downstairs. However, Alfonso recovered from the impact of the body blows and mounted his own comeback in rounds 9 and 10 where he resumed the use of his angles to evade retaliation after launching his attacks. Additionally, he also countered Shoji’s attacks well thus getting the better of most exchanges in these 2 rounds. With about 13 seconds left in round 9, López connected with a thunderous right hand that made Oguma touched the canvas with his glove, which should have been ruled a knockdown but the referee mistook it for a trip. From round 10 on, Alfonso was evidently in better control with a slick offense whilst maintaining his lateral movements for a shifty defense against the continuous pressure applied by the tenacious challenger. Shoji stepped on the gas pedal in round 15 to rally for a last round knockout, having sensed that he was likely behind on points but in spite of his tremendous efforts López was able to return fire at near equal terms, and the fight went the full distance. After 45 minutes of an intense high-speed chess match, Piedrita Small-tractor improved his unblemished record to 24(14)-0 and retained his WBA World Flyweight Championship via MD15. Referee Larry Rozadilla and judge Rodolfo Hill scored it 72-65 and 73-67 for Alfonso López respectively while judge Hiroyuki Tezaki had it even at 71-71. "Oguma is a very difficult boxer because he is a southpaw. I had not much experience fighting southpaws. He threw some good punches at me but none of them hurt." - Alfonso López While it was a competitive bout, the champion was evidently the more effective of the 2 thus judge Tezaki’s scorecard raised a few eyebrows although the outcome was fortunately unaffected. "I cannot agree with the Japanese 71-71 decision. I think he must have been looking the other way." -Harmodio Icaza (Lopez' manager) Enjoy this highlight of a FLYWEIGHT classic and remember to SUBSCRIBE for more boxing goodness. Stay safe and keep punching!