MASAMICHI Yabuki has become a two-division world champion after toppling IBF flyweight titlist Angel Ayala with a destructive 12-round performance.
The pair locked horns earlier this morning in Tokoname, Japan, with Yabuki, 18-4 (17 KOs), entering their clash off the back of his ninth-round stoppage victory over Sivenathi Nontshinga last October.
In doing so, the 32-year-old had remained unbeaten through four fights since suffering a third-round knockout defeat to Kenshiro Teraji back in 2022.
But despite claiming Nontshinga’s IBF title at 108lbs, Yabuki opted to move up weight and take on Ayala, 18-1 (8 KOs), who, as it happens, only captured his red and gold strap last August.
Unfortunately for him, the rugged Mexican was forced to kiss his newly-acquired trinket goodbye after hitting the canvas three times en route to a 12th-round stoppage defeat.
Yabuki had got off to a lightning start, flooring his opponent in the first and second rounds, but Ayala, to his credit, soon rallied back, making for an enthralling battle in the first half of their contest.
After sustaining a nasty cut above his right eye, though, the 24-year-old was introduced to a far more torrid night’s work down the stretch, with Yabuki ultimately scoring his third knockdown before halting proceedings in the final round.
Having seemingly maintained his frightening power, the Japanese sensation certainly looks to be a formidable force at 112lbs.
With WBC champion Teraji leading the pack in that division, too, a potential trilogy fight could quite easily be on the table, as the score remains 1-1 following their first two encounters.
