Former World Boxing Organization’s Asia-Pacific super featherweight champion Yoshimitsu Kimura of Shisei Boxing Gym、overcoming the instability earlier in the fight, stopped seventh-ranked Philippine super featherweight Jestine Tesoro in the fifth round in a nontitle fight on Aug. 24 in Tokyo.

  The technical knockout of the scheduled eight-rounder at Korakuen Hall came 2 minutes and 36 seconds into the round when the 27-year-old Kimura scored three knockdowns with sizzling body shots to Tesoro, prompting the referee to call off the fight.

  Kimura, who was fighting his first fight since losing his title to Masanori Rikiishi of Midori Boxing Gym with a knockout last January, was severely staggered in the second round when Tesoro connected with a left hook to the temple.

  But Kimura hung tough and decked Tesoro with a left hook to the body in the fifth round. While the 24-year-old Tesoro struggled to his feet at the count of nine, he was sent to the canvas again soon after with Kimura’s devastating left hook to the body. Though Tesoro beat the referee’s count, he was put on the seat of his trunks shortly after as Kimura landed a straight right to the body for the third knockdown.

  After the fight, Kimura said, ‘’Yesterday was my birthday. So, I went out with all my might. Considering the today’s fight, I am not capable of taking a crack at a world title for now. But I put on an entertaining fight for fans. I will continue to do my best under the strong direction of my trainer Mr. (Joji) Nogi.’’

  With the win, Kimura improved his record to 15 wins, including 10 KOs, against three losses and a draw. For his part, Tesoro fell to a 9-6 win-loss tally with five KOs.

  Meanwhile former WBO’s Asia-Pacific flyweight champion Ryoto Yamauchi of Kadoebi Boxing Gym knocked out Jakpan Sangtong of Thailand in the second round of a scheduled eight round super flyweight nontitle fight as the chief supporting card.

The 28-year-old Yamauchi’s punching power was such that the 33-year-old Jakpan could not stand up before the referee’s count tolled 10.

  Yamauchi, currently ranked fifth in the Japanese flyweight division, improved his record to 10 wins, including nine KOs, against three defeats, while Jalpan impaired to a 12-9 win-loss record with 11 KOs.