Japan added two extra titlists to its rising listing in a span of 24 hours.
Each got here at junior flyweight, with Shokichi Iwata the most recent to hoist a title over his head. It got here in emphatic type as he knocked out Jairo Noriega within the third spherical to win the vacant WBO 108-pound belt Saturday at Ariake Area in Tokyo, Japan.
A proper to the physique and left hook upstairs put Noriega down for the night time on the finish of the third of their ESPN+ opener.
Spain’s Noriega really jumped out a powerful begin in his first main title battle. He entered the ring because the underdog however outboxed the heavier-handed Iwata by means of one.
That success didn’t final very lengthy. Iwata (14-1, 11 knockouts) picked up the tempo and by no means actually regarded again. The previous title challenger landed the extra telling blows and shortly constructed in direction of the anticipated ending.
It arrived in a rush, as Iwata discovered his opening.
Noriega (14-1, 3 KOs) was transferring again in direction of the ropes and ran out of ring area. Iwata related with a proper hand downstairs to arrange the cash shot. A flush left hook caught Noriega on the chin to ship him to the canvas.
Referee Raul Caiz Jr. instantly waved off the competition.
The win noticed Iwata acquire the WBO junior flyweight title left behind in a mass defection atop the division.
Jonathan ‘Bomba’ Gonzalez beforehand held the belt however vacated to compete at flyweight. The Puerto Rican boxer challenges WBO 112-pound titlist Anthony Olascuaga (7-1, 5 KOs) on Sunday on this very venue.
Iwata misplaced a twelve-round determination to Gonzalez in his Nov. 2022 title bid. His lone defeat was since adopted by a present five-fight win streak, all inside the gap.
The win for Iwata topped a second titlist within the 108-pound divsion. It got here 24 hours after countryman Masamichi Yabuki (17-4, 16 KOs) dethroned Sivenathi Nontshinga (13-2, 10 KOs) to win the IBF belt Saturday in Tokoname, Aichi, Japan.
