In the second of three world title bouts at “U-NEXT BOXING 5,” held at the Yokohama BUNTAI in Kanagawa on the 15th, former WBO champion and current #2-ranked contender Shokichi Iwata (Teiken) defeated WBC flyweight titleholder Knockout CP Freshmart (Thailand) via an eighth-round technical decision (1:33). The scores were 79-73, 79-73, and 78-74, all in favor of Iwata, who successfully captured the world title.
ノックアウトを圧倒しWBCチャンピオンとなった岩田㊧
Iwata held the advantage in speed, physicality, and punching power throughout the contest.
Iwata opened with a disciplined, rhythmic approach, utilizing constant movement to evade Knockout’s counter-punching attempts while landing effective returns of his own. As the Thai champion increased the pressure, attempting to land deep one-twos, he consistently struggled to penetrate Iwata’s defensive pocket.
Building on his hit-and-run tactics, Iwata began to find success with combinations, notably firing right straights followed by left hooks to the body. In the fourth round, a clash of heads resulted in a cut above Knockout’s left eye. From there, Iwata increasingly pivoted to his opponent’s blind side, landing accurate right straights, left body shots, and sustained combinations. By the sixth round, Iwata clearly intensified his attack, forcing Knockout against the ropes and unloading heavy volleys. Although Knockout desperately sought a fight-changing counter, he remained a step behind Iwata in both power and timing.
Following repeated medical inspections of the cut, the referee waved off the contest after a doctor’s check at 1:33 of the eighth round. While Iwata displayed a look of disappointment at the premature conclusion, the performance was a total victory, effectively neutralizing a man who had previously defended his WBA minimumweight title 16 times.
Iwata (30) improves to 16-2 (12 KOs). Knockout (35), who failed in his first defense of the WBC title, falls to 29-2 (11 KOs).
