Taishin Isotani, a grandson of former world super welterweight champion Koichi Wajima,
stopped Keishi Tanaka of Hanagata Boxing Gym in the third round in a preliminary match of the welterweight division of the East-Japan rookies’ tournament on Aug. 9 at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall.

It was the 21-year-old Isotani’s third straight knockout victory since making a professional debut from Wajima Koichi Sports Gym in May last year.

The technical knockout of the scheduled four-round fight came 1 minute and 50 seconds into the round when the referee called off the fight after Isotani staggered Tanaka, 23, with a right hook to the body and unleashed a barrage of left and right combinations to him.
Isotani’s next fight will be held on Sept. 26 in the tournament’s semifinal.

After the fight, Isotani said, ‘’Honestly, I was aiming at attaining the third straight first-round KO win. So, I am a little bit frustrated. I am determined to raise the level of my boxing so that I can advance to the final.’’

Wajima was nicknamed ‘’Man on Fire for his many dramatic come-from-behind victories.’’