Third-ranked World Boxing Association bantamweight Sho Ishida of Ioka Boxing Gym eked out a split decision over fourth-ranked Victor Santillan of the Dominican Republic in an elimination bout for the WBA title held by Takuma Inoue of Ohashi Boxing Gym in Osaka on June 11.

  After the hard-fought 12-round fight at Sumiyoshi Ward Center, two of the three judges each scored the fight 116-112 for the 31-year-old Ishida, while the remaining judge saw it 118-110 for the 27-year-old Santillan. There were no knockdowns in the fight.

  While the previously undefeated Santillan came out strongly by working Ishida’s body from his southpaw style, Ishida hung tough and landed a devastating right hook to the body in the fifth round, which caused Santillan to run out of steam. Ishida continued his active fight for the remainder of the fight.

  With the victory, Ishida improved his record to 33 wins, including 16 KOs, against three losses. For his part, Santillan fell to a 13-1 win-loss tally with five KOs.