Challenger Eri Matsuda of TEAM10COUNT Boxing Gym eked out a 10-round split decision over Yuko Kuroki of Shinsei Boxing Gym to wrest the atomweight titles of the World Boxing Association and World Boxing Organization in Tokyo on Jan. 12.

  The fight served as the main event of the evening held under the general heading ‘’Lemino BOXING PHOENIX BATTLE 109,’’ in which three world female title matches were held at a time.

  Two of the three judges scored the fight 97-93 and 96-94, respectively for Matsuda, while the third judge had it 96-94 for Kuroki.

  With the loss, the 32-year-old Kuroki failed in her third defense of the WBO title and her first in the WBA crown. It was the 29-year-old Matsuda’s third attempt at the world atomweight title.

  There were no knockdowns in the fight. Both southpaws exchanged punches from the first round with Matsuda sticking out right jabs while moving quickly. Kuroki threw straight lefts but failed to land decisive punches.

  The two fought almost evenly the rest of the way.

  With the win, Matsuda improved her record to seven wins, including a knockout, against a loss and a draw, while Kuroki fell to a 22-8-2 win-loss-draw tally with nine KOs.