Former World Boxing Association super bantamweight champion Shun Kubo of Shinsei Boxing Gym stopped Ruito Saeki of Gifu Yokozeki Boxing Gym in the third round of a scheduled eight-rounder at Kobe Central Gymnasium in Kobe, western Japan, on March 28.

The technical knockout of the super featherweight nontitle fight came 2 minutes and 59 seconds into the round when Kubo severely staggered Saeki with a straight left, prompting the referee to call off the fight immediately. Earlier in the same round, Kubo, who is 180cm tall, sent Saeki to the canvas also with a straight left. It was the first boxing event in the western Japan this year.

Kubo, currently ranked third in the Japanese featherweight, said after the fight he wants to challenge Oriental-and-Pacific Boxing Federation featherweight champion Satoshi Shimizu of Ohashi Boxing Gym for the latter’s title next.

With the victory, the 30-year-old Kubo improved his record to 15 wins, including 10 KOs, against two losses. Saeki, 22, saw his record impair to seven wins, including one KO, against five defeats and a draw.