Umezu Draws With Ex-champ Fuse, Keeps Japan’s 118lb Belt

By Joe Koizumi

In the first of a regional title doubleheader, hard-punching Shori Umezu (13-1-3, 9 KOs), 117.75, made a successful initial defense of his Japanese national bantamweight belt as he furiously battled to a split draw (96-94, 94-96, 95-95) with ex-champ Fumiya Fuse (17-5, 4 KOs), 117.75, over ten sizzling rounds on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. Brutal puncher WBC#24 Umezu was an aggressor all the way, while southpaw veteran Fuse was a sharp counterpuncher on a fewer occasion. ...