Second-ranked Kento Hatanaka of Soul Box Hatanaka Boxing Gym floored third-ranked Akira Hoshuyama in the first round and went on to win a close but unanimous 12-round decision to win the World Boxing Organization’s vacant Asia-Pacific flyweight title on Sept. 9 in Nagoya, central Japan.

Fighting at the International Conference Hall, the undefeated Hatanaka scored a knockdown in the first round with a well-timed left hook to the body for a mandatory eight count.

The left-handed Hoshuyama, also undefeated, began to rally from the third round, and both exchanged fierce blows toe-to-toe all the way.

Two of the three judges scored the fight 115-112 and the remaining judge saw it 114-113, all in favor of Hatanaka.

With the victory, the 25-year-old Hatanaka extended his unbeaten streak to 15 wins, including 10 knockouts. For his part, the 27-year-old Hoshuyama impaired to a 9-1 win-loss record with four KOs.

The title was left vacant by Riku Kano of Taisei Boxing Gym.