Final Saturday, Masamichi Yabuki turned a two-time junior flyweight titleholder.
The ability-punching Japanese fighter scored three knockdowns en path to a powerful ninth-round stoppage over Sivenathi Nontshinga to tear the IBF title from the defending champion on the Aichi Sky Expo, Tokoname, Japan.
“I really feel very relieved to have received in opposition to such a powerful opponent,” Yabuki (17-4, 16 knockouts) advised The Ring via Chisa Yamane.
The 32-year-old, who was a 31/20 (+155) betting underdog, that means he was give a 40 p.c likelihood of successful, took his newest title triumph in his stride.
“I didn’t do something particular to rejoice,” he stated. “I simply went to see my sponsors and relaxed on the lodge.”
Congratulations Masamichi Yabuki who stops Sivenathi Nontshinga within the ninth spherical to win the IBF World Gentle Flyweight Title! pic.twitter.com/yzTgfRT0t8
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) October 12, 2024
Yabuki is now rated at No. 1 by The Ring at junior flyweight. Nevertheless, regardless of the lofty place, he isn’t getting forward of himself.
“Of the fighters I do know, I feel Carlos Cañizales [who will fight for the vacant WBC title against Panya Pradabsri] is robust,” he stated. “I’m certain there are different robust fighters I simply don’t learn about. I’m not overconfident in myself.”
Yabuki was on high of the world when he surprised WBC 108-pound titleholder Kenshiro Teraji (TKO 10) in September 2021 earlier than his profession unravelled.
“Once I misplaced [the title back to Teraji in 2022] and ruptured my Achilles tendon [in 2023], I thought of retiring,” he admitted. “However with the assist of many individuals, I used to be in a position to proceed and to change into world champion.”
The next evening Shokichi Iwata stopped Jairo Noriega (TKO 3) to win the vacant WBO title and spoke of going through his countryman in a unification.
Nevertheless, Yabuki isn’t certain if that’s what will likely be subsequent and even is on the agenda.
“I’ve solely seen [some of] his matches,” he stated. “I feel he’s an excellent fighter, however I don’t assume it’s value to do a unification match between two Japanese fighters. He additionally has to combat a compulsory bout, so it doesn’t appear actual but.”
That’s to not say that Yabuki isn’t trying to get hold of the largest and finest alternatives he can.
“I want to transfer as much as flyweight, however the flyweight division may be very aggressive,” he stated. “I don’t know but if I’ll get an opportunity. I wish to increase my very own worth, and I wish to combat robust fighters who will increase my worth.”
Curiously, two Japanese fighters (Yabuki and WBO titlist Shokichi Iwata) are rated at No. 1 and No. 2 by The Ring, that means within the occasion that they did meet in a unification they’d additionally vie for the vacant Ring championship.
His promoter, Koki Kameda, who previously received world titles at junior flyweight and flyweight and now runs 3150 Combat Promotions, hopes to maneuver his fighter boldly going ahead.
“I’m very delighted that three world champions have been born from my promotion, Ginjiro Shigeoka and Yudai Shigeoka, now Masamichi Yabuki turned junior flyweight world champion in opposition to extremely rated champion amongst junior flyweights,” he stated, proudly. “I’m very excited and searching ahead to his street forward as we’re taking a look at a number of choices, whether or not to go on to the unification or transfer as much as flyweight.”
Questions and/or feedback could be despatched to Anson at [email protected].
