Former World Boxing Organization minimumweight champion Ryuya Yamanaka of Shinsei Boxing Gym pounded out a lopsided eight-round decision over Jonathan Taconing of the Philippines, the World Boxing Council’s 15th-ranked flyweight, on Aug. 14 at the Kobe City Chuo Gymnasium, western Japan.

It was the 27-year-old Yamanaka’s second successful return to the ring as he stopped Daisuke Sudo of Misako Boxing Gym on March 6 at the same gymnasium.

Yamanaka had to hang up his gloves in July 2018 due to subdural hematoma after losing to Vic Saludar of the Philippines in his second defense of the WBO minimumweight title. He captured the title in August 2017 and successfully defended it once in March 2018.

After his loss to Saludar, Yamanaka was found to be suffering from subdural hematoma, which forced him to retire from boxing in accordance with the then rules of Japan Boxing Commission. But since JBC changed its relevant rule last December, and Yamanaka was able to fight again since he cleared the magnetic resonance image and the accompanying tests vis-à-vis intracranial hematoma.

Fighting at the gymnasium, Yamanaka overpowered his left-handed opponent by landing his punches almost at will and ended the fight on top. In particular, he severely staggered Taconing in the eighth and final round with a barrage of left-and-right combinations.

After the fight, Yamanaka said, ‘’While it was not an exciting fight, I am glad that I was able to move fast.’’

With the victory, Yamanaka improved his record to 18 wins, including six KOs, against three losses. For his part, the 35-year-old Taconing fell to a 29-4-1 win-loss-draw tally with 22 KOs.