Junto Nakatani retained his WBC bantamweight world title with a brutal knockout victory over Petch Sor Chitpattana.
The 26-year-old star thrilled his home crowd in Tokyo by improving his professional record to 29-0, with a 22nd win by knockout.
Chitpattana was beaten for just the second time in 78 professional bouts, with Japanese star Takuma Inoue the only other fighter to have defeated him, in 2018.
Nakatani showed why he is being touted as the heir to the brilliant Inoue, and one-upped the super-bantamweight world champion by handing Chitpattana his first defeat by knockout.
The entertaining encounter ebbed and flowed until a huge left-hand counter from Nakatani midway through the eighth round swung the fight in his favour.
The Japanese fighter followed up the stunning shot with a combination that sent Chitpattana to the canvas, before the Thai narrowly beat the referee’s count to extend the contest.
Chitpattana somehow managed to fire back in the ensuing moments but was caught by another huge left-hand from Nakatani just a few seconds before the bell, prompting the referee to wave off the fight.
“This is my third knockout victory in (three world bantamweight) title fights,” Nakatani said. “I hope people are happy about it.
“I knew my opponent is quite aggressive, so I slowed down and watched him coming into me.”
Nakatani remains one of four current Japanese bantamweight world champions, with Seiya Tsutsumi (WBA), Ryosuke Nishida (IBF) and Yoshiki Takei (WBO) holding the division’s other belts.
“Anyone who has a championship belt, I would welcome the fight,” Nakatani added.
Nasukawa claims first pro title
Tenshin Nasukawa claimed the first title of his professional career with a dominant points victory over Gerwin Asilo.
The Japanese fighter was a clear winner on the scorecards of all three judges, earning him the WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight title.
Nasukawa’s triumph comes four years on from his exhibition contest with Floyd Mayweather, in which he was stopped inside a round by the boxing great.
“I successfully got this championship belt around my waist and thanks to my opponent for fighting me tonight,” he said.
Nasukawa’s professional record is now 5-0 with two knockout wins, while Filipino fighter Asilo was beaten for the first time in his 10-fight professional career.
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