Undefeated Japanese sensation Yuga Ozaki successfully defended his regional standing with a dominant performance, stopping Filipino rival Jerry Francisco in the sixth round Wednesday at the historic Korakuen Hall.
With the victory, Ozaki secures the vacant WBO Asia Pacific Light Flyweight title and solidifies his position as a major player in the world rankings.
Ozaki’s speed, southpaw angles, and relentless pressure proved to be too much for the rugged Francisco. After controlling the tempo from the opening bell, Ozaki systematically broke down the challenger, leading to a stoppage in the 6th round.
Prior to the finish, Ozaki was pitching a near-shutout on the official scorecards.
Francisco (now 12-4-0) showed immense heart representing Sanman Boxing Gym, attempting to counter Ozaki's precise output. Ultimately, the 23-year-old champion's defense and sharp combinations proved insurmountable.
With this emphatic victory, Ozaki improves his impressive undefeated record to 10-0-1 (8 KOs).
By turning back a highly determined challenger, Ozaki successfully protects his lofty standing among major global sanctioning bodies, keeping him in prime position for a future world title shot. Ozaki is currently ranked WBC #8, IBF #8, WBO #13, and IBO #9.
For Francisco, it is a tough setback on foreign soil, but the 29-year-old former WBC Asian Continental champion remains a resilient contender capable of rebounding back in the talent-rich 108-pound division.
Photo: Yuga Ozaki (R) traps Jerry Francisco in the blue corner.
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