Nanako Suzuki of Misako Boxing Gym, overcoming the first-round knockdown, managed to pound out a close but unanimous six-round decision over the third-ranked challenger Sarasa Ichimura of Mitsuki Boxing Gym in the Japanese female minimumweight title match at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall.

It was the 23-year-old Suzuki’s first successful defense of the title she captured by edging Sayo Segawa of Watanabe Boxing Gym for the vacant title last December.

While the 26-year-old Ichimura decked Sauzuki late in the opening round with a right-hand blow, Suzuki recovered quickly and exchanged punches at close quarters and remained active for the remaining round for victory.

With the win, Suzuki improved her record to seven wins, including one KO, against two losses, while Ichimura sagged to a 4-11-1 win-loss-draw tally.