Former three-division world champion Kosei Tanaka of Soul Box Hatanaka Boxing Gym hammered out a 10-round unanimous decision over the World Boxing Organization’s fourth-ranked super flyweight Yanga Sigqibo of South Africa on Dec. 11 in Nagoya.

Fighting at Takeda Teva Ocean Arena in the central Japanese city, the 27-year-old Tanaka, currently ranked third in the division, overcame a cut above the left eyelid in the second round, landed strong body shots to his 28-year-old opponent and ended the fight on top.

While Tanaka swarmed all over his opponent particularly in the latter part of the fight, Sigqibo hung tough and managed to survive the fight.

After the fight, Tanaka said, ‘’I really wanted to knock him out. But if my fans are satisfied with the fight, I am happy. I think I have improved myself in the past one year.’’ He promised that he is determined to become a world champion in his fourth weight division next year.

With the win, Tanaka improved his record to 18 wins, including 10 KOs, against a loss, while Sigqibo sagged to a 17-2-1 win-loss-draw tally with five KOs.