Champion Hironobu Matsunaga of Yokohama Hikari Gym pounded out a close but unanimous decision over fifth-ranked challenger Rei Nakajima of Neyagawa Ishida Boxing Club to retain his Japanese super welterweight title on Apr. 21 at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall.

There were no knockdowns throughout the 10-round fight.

It was the 33-year-old Matsunaga’s third successful defense of the title he won from Nobuyuki Shindo of Miyata Boxing Gym in May 2019.

With the victory, Matsunaga improved his record to 18 wins, including 11 knockouts, against a loss, while it was the 22-year-old Nakajima’s first defeat after winning the four straight bouts.

Southpaw Matsunaga showed a speedy footwork while sticking out quick right jabs. He landed occasional straight lefts to the head. For his part, Nakajima mainly worked Matsunaga’s body with straight rights. But Matsunaga did not allow Nakajima to land crucial punches and piled up points as the fight went by.

While Nakajima landed his favorite straight right cleanly to the head in the ninth round, Matsunaga took it without much ado and ended up the fight on top.

After the fight, Matsunaga said, ‘’I am relieved to win. Mr. Nakajima was a good boxer with his speed and defense. Though I wanted to win it more cleanly, I am satisfied with the victory anyway. But I promise I will become much stronger by practicing more.’’