Former three-weight division world champion Kosei Tanaka of Soul Box Hatanaka Boxing Gym pounded out a split decision over the International Boxing Federation’s fifth-ranked super flyweight Sho Ishida of Ioka Boxing Gym in a 10-round non-title bout on Dec. 11 in Nagoya.

It was the 26-year-old Tanaka’s first fight since losing to World Boxing Organization super flyweight champion Kazuto Ioka of Shisei Boxing Gym for the latter’s title on Dec. 31 last year.

There were no knockdowns during the fight held at the Nagoya Congress Center at a catchweight of 52.5 kg (115.7 lb).

The fight got off to a quiet start with a rangy Ishida sticking out left jabs while moving side to side. The tight-guarded Tanaka could not get inside.

Tanaka, who had captured WBO minimumweight, light flyweight and flyweight crowns, began to land body shots from around the third round and pressed forward further with left and right hooks to the body. Ishida, who is also ranked 10th by the WBO, began to bleed from his nose from that round.

But Tanaka, who is currently ranked seventh by the World Boxing Council and ninth by the WBO, could not land decisive blows throughout the fight before Ishida’s long jabs, straight rights and well-timed right hooks.

After the fight, Tanaka said, ‘’Mr. Sho Ishida was very strong. But I was able to fight my fight only thanks to Mr. Ishida. it is my mission to take a crack at a world title since I beat Mr. Ishida of all boxers. Though the split decision victory was by no means satisfactory, this was the first time that I had climbed through the ropes with a smile.’’

With the victory, Tanaka improved his record to 16 wins, including nine KOs, against a loss. For his part, Ishida fell to a 29-3 win-loss tally with 15 KOs.