Undefeated Keisuke Matsumoto of Ohashi Boxing Gym, surviving the final round knockdown, pounded out a 10-round unanimous decision over top-ranked challenger Jinki Maeda of Green Tsuda Boxing Gym to retain the title on Feb. 22 in Tokyo.
It was the 24-year-old Matsumoto’s second successful defense of the title he captured last April.
Fighting at Korakuen Hall, Matsumoto sent the left-handed Maeda tottering down with a straight right in the fourth round for a mandatory eight count, although it appeared to be slipping.
Maeda’s left eyelid began to be puffed up due to technically sound Matsumoto’s well-timed rights, and Matsumoto widened his lead as the rounds went by.
In the 10th and final round, Maeda sent Matsumoto on the seat of his trunks with a straight left to the head. While Maeda desperately came forward by showing everything he had in his arsenal, Matsumoto somehow survived the round for victory.
Matsumoto improved his unbeaten streak to 10, seven by knockout, while the 27-year-old Maeda fell to a 13-2 win-loss tally with eight KOs.
