Top-ranked Japanese featherweight Reiya Abe of KG Yamato Boxing Gym scored a knockdown in the seventh round en route to a 12-round unanimous decision over champion Hinata Maruta of Morioka Boxing Gym and captured the Japanese featherweight title as well as the vacant World Boxing Organization’s Asia-Pacific featherweight crown on May 15 at Tokyo’s Sumida City Gymnasium.

The 29-year-old Abe, who had twice failed to win the Japanese featherweight title in his previous attempts, showed his true mettle throughout the fight as he smothered his taller opponent’s well-timed punches. The WBO’s Asia-Pacific crown was left vacant by Satoshi Shimizu of Ohashi Boxing Gym.

While the fight got off to a quiet start, southpaw Abe suffered a cut above his right eyelid in the fourth round with Maruta’s right-hand punch, Abe, however, increased his pace from the fifth stanza by unleashing a right-left barrage by putting Maruta, 25, against a corner in the fifth round.

Abe continued his offense and landed a well-timed straight left in the seventh round, putting Maruta on the seat of his pants. Maruta got up quickly for a mandatory eight count.

The fleet-footed Abe befuddled Maruta, who failed to land his Sunday punches, and ended the fight on top.

With the victory, Abe improved his record to 23 wins, including10 KOs, against three losses and a draw. Meanwhile, Maruta, who failed in his second defense of the title he captured in February last year, fell to a 12-2-1 win-loss-draw tally with nine KOs.

After the fight, Abe said, ‘’I am relieved because I was able to win the two regional titles at the same time. But I am not completely satisfied because I am looking further ahead.