There is a new IBF junior-flyweight champion.
For two years, the title has been synonymous with Sivenathi Nontshinga.
From South Africa, the 25-year-old originally won the vacant title in 2022.
After one successful defence, he lost the title in late 2023 to Adrian Curiel, only to win it back in February this year.
During this reign, however, Nontshinga hasn’t managed to get a single successful defence in as he’s lost it earlier today.
Travelling to Tokoname, Japan, Sivenathi Nontshinga was taking on Masamichi Yabuki.
Yabuki is a former WBC light flyweight and was going into the fight as the underdog.
However, he put on a performance that many weren’t expecting.
The 32-year-old Yabuki floored Nagoya three times on the way to a ninth-round stoppage.
After a series of rounds where Yabuki was growing in confidence, the bout came to life.
In the eight round, Yabuki hit combinations with both hands that led to Nontshinga and dropping to his knees.
That was the first knockdown and could have been worse if it wasn’t for the bell.
Nontshinga was dropped again in the ninth thereafter and you could visibly see a cut by his right eye.
The final devastating came later in the same round as Yabuki landed a right and the referee waved the fight over.
The result meant that Masamichi Yabuki has now become a two-time world champion and achieved this victory in his home land.
Sivenathi Nontshinga will likely look to earn a rematch and claim his title back, but today belongs to Yabuki as he claims the W in a dominant win and becomes the new IBF junior-flyweight champion.
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