Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation flyweight champion Taku Kuwahara of Ohashi Boxing Gym knocked out Wulan Tuolehazi of China in the fourth round to retain his title on July 11 in Tokyo.

  It was Kuwahara’s first successful defense of the title he captured from Giemel Magaramo of the Philippines last October.

  The knockout of the scheduled 12-rounder at Korakuen Hall came 2 minutes and 10 seconds into the round when the 28-year-old Kuwahara landed a devastating left hook to the body, sending his 30-year-old opponent to the canvas for the count.

  ‘’Since it was a punch I threw involuntarily, I didn’t get any specific response,’’ Kuwahara said after the fight.

  With the win, Kuwahara, ranked eighth both by the World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation and ninth by the World Boxing Council, improved his record to 13 wins, including eight KOs, against a loss.

  For his part, Tuolehazi fell to a 15-5-2 win-loss-draw tally with seven KOs.