Boxing: Hebi Marapu Loses Thin Points In Debut In Japan Against Taiga Imanaga

Hebi Marapu put a left jab on Taiga Imanaga's face in a duel at the Ariake Arena, Tokyo, Tuesday, July 25, 2023. (XBC Sportech)

JAKARTA - Through a tight battle, Indonesian boxer Hebi Marapu must acknowledge the superiority of the host boxer Taiga Imanaga in the battle that took place at the Ariake Arena, Japan, on Tuesday (25/7).

Even so, Hebi returned to the country with his head held high because he was able to provide fierce resistance and lost to the split decision after the two judges gave values for Imanaga's victory and one jury gave value for Hebi's victory.

Despite being disappointed with the outcome of this fight, Hebi said he would not be too disappointed because he would be back preparing for the upcoming fight.

There are times to win and now I learn from defeat. Imanaga is a fast and strong boxer. This fight gave me a lot of lessons. I thank the XBC Sportech team for supporting me and the matchmaker Aryo Sulkhan who paved the way for me to fight in Japan. It's time to return to training and prepare for the next fight, "said the boxer from East Sumba.

This result has no effect on Hebi's title, namely the lightweight WBC Asian Boxing Council Continental and IBA Intercontinental. XBC Sportech is also preparing Hebi to defend both titles.

In this eight-round non-match, Hebi fought tactically and with discipline. He tried to press the opponent while continuing to double cover to anticipate the superiority of Imanaga's posture. At the end of the first round, Imanaga had fallen as a result of being pushed and did not get a count from referee Yuji Fukuchi.

In the third round, Hebi fell and got a count of a blow to the head. After that, Imanaga tried to take advantage of the momentum by pressing Hebi, but Hebi was able to survive.

At the end of the fight, the jury Kazunobu Asao gave a score of 80-72 and badminton Sugiyama gave a score of 77-74 to Imanaga. Meanwhile, a jury of Michiaki Someya gave a score of 76-75 for Hebi so that Imanaga was declared to have won a narrow number.

This result made Hebi's record 18 wins (13 knockouts), two defeats, and one draw, while Imanaga continued his winning record to four wins in four fights.