Hard-hitting Masamichi Yabuki knocked out Tsuyoshi Sato in the opening round to capture the vacant Japanese light flyweight title on July 26 in Kariya, Aichi Prefecture.

The end of the scheduled 10-rounder at Aioi Hall in the central Japanese prefecture came 2 minutes and 55 seconds into the first round when Yabuki landed a right uppercut followed by a left hook to the head, sending Sato to the canvas.

While southpaw Sato struggled to his feet, Yabuki swarmed all over him and scored another knockdown with a hard right for the count.

Yabuki improved his record to 11 wins, all by knockout, against three losses. Sato fell to 10 wins, including five KOs, against two losses and a draw.