By Miguel Rivera

The luck of Hugo Cazares (35-7-2, 25 KOs) has finally run out in Japan. He dropped a close twelve round split decision, and his WBA super flyweight title, to hometown hero Tomonobu Shimizu (19-3-1, 9 KOs) at Nihon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan. The scores were 115-113 twice for the Japanese boxer and 116-114 for Cazares, who had trouble with the challenger's quick hands. Cazares had been 2-0-1 in his last three appearances in Japan and initially captured his world championship in the country.