In the 10-round WBO Asia Pacific featherweight title match, held as the co-main event at Korakuen Hall on the 6th, the proceedings concluded in a major upset. Ryota Muto (Matsuda), ranked 9th, dominated the champion Kenji Fujita (Teiken) from the outset to secure a TKO victory at 2:13 of the seventh round. With this result, Muto captured the title, while Fujita failed in his fifth defence.
武藤㊧が藤田をストップしたシーン
In a clash of southpaws, it was Muto who initiated the offensive. Pressing forward behind right hooks and straight lefts, he forced Fujita to respond with flurries initiated by right hooks to the body.
However, Fujita’s aggressive attempts to overpower his opponent played into Muto’s hands. Exploiting the space Fujita left on the right side of his face during exchanges, Muto repeatedly landed short left crosses to seize control. In the third round, a clean straight left bloodied the champion’s nose, with the subsequent assault visibly shaking Fujita.
Muto demonstrated composure beyond mere momentum, doubling up on his right jab and using distance to evade return fire. While Fujita desperately targeted the body with right hooks and high-volume combinations, Muto responded in the fifth with a series of left uppercuts that worsened the damage and the bleeding.
Fujita attempted to employ his trademark footwork and upper-body movement to reset the distance, but the cumulative damage from the early rounds hampered his execution. Muto continued to dominate, outclassing the veteran both on the inside and while stalking him across the ring.
In the seventh, as Fujita tried to press forward, Muto unleashed a versatile left-hand barrage of uppercuts, hooks, and straights, prompting referee Tanaka to step in and rescue the defenceless champion.
“The relentless training for infighting bore fruit. I was anxious facing a higher-ranked opponent, but thanks to the support of those around me, I was able to fight with confidence,” said the new 21-year-old champion. He added, “From here, I just want to focus on winning each fight as it comes,” concluding with a grounded outlook. Muto improves to 10-1-1 (6 KOs). Fujita (32), who was dominated by the rising prospect despite his WBO No. 1 ranking, falls to 10-1 (5 KOs).
初回で挑戦者を倒した堀池
Horiike Retains Title via 110-Second TKO
The third bout of the evening, an OPBF super-lightweight title 10-rounder, saw champion Hiroki Horiike (Yokohama Hikari) secure a first-round TKO victory over 14th-ranked Raymond Yanong (PHI). Horiike dropped his challenger twice to end the contest at the 1:50 mark, successfully completing his first defence.
Horiike opened the action with a sharp right cross before flooring Yanong with a combination of left hooks to the head and body followed by a straight right. Although Yanong regained his feet, Horiike pursued him with a barrage punctuated by a short right uppercut. A final straight right sent Yanong down for the second time, prompting the referee to halt the bout.
“I expected a late-round battle, but I saw the opening and took it,” Horiike stated. He then expressed his intent to target the WBO Asia Pacific title: “I want a unification bout against the winner of next month’s fight between Gonte Lee (Teiken) and Itsuki Tomioka (Kadoebi ).” Horiike (24) improves to 8-0, 4 KOs. Yanong (32), suffering his first defeat in three appearances in Japan, moves to 18-11-1, 12 KOs.
Super-Lightweight 8-Rounder
Mikyo Watarai (Yokohama Hikari) [UD 3-0 (78-73, 79-72, 79-72)] Isaac Spata (Chunichi)
Second-ranked Japanese contender Mikyo Watarai marked his first bout since transferring gyms with a victory in his first outing since June last year. In the opening round, Watarai landed a left jab to the body that caused Spata to lose his balance for a knockdown. Spata attempted to find his rhythm using upper-body movement and timed left hooks, but Watarai remained disciplined, catching the shots on his right arm and utilising superior distance control to remain elusive. In the third, Watarai connected with a clean right following a left uppercut, staggering Spata with a subsequent flurry.
Spata responded by using his sway-back to evade Watarai’s follow-up attacks. As the bout progressed, both men showcased their defensive nuances under increasing pressure. In the final round, Spata surged in an attempt to turn the tide, but Watarai’s ability to slip and counter proved superior. Ultimately, Watarai’s deeper tactical experience decided the contest between two technically similar fighters.
Watarai(27) moves to 8-1, 5 KOs. Spata (25), the younger brother of Japanese and WBO Asia Pacific welterweight champion David Semujju [Note: Verification required], is now 9-1, 7 KOs.
Bantamweight 6-Rounder
Riku Asai (Teiken) [TKO2 2:40] Yuki Kajitani (Hachioji Nakaya)
