Japanese boxer Masamichi Yabuki claimed the IBF world flyweight championship with a 12th-round technical knockout of Mexico’s Angel Ayala on Saturday.
The 32-year-old Yabuki, who holds the IBF light flyweight belt, moved up in class for his bid to become a two-weight world champion at Aichi Sky Expo near Nagoya.
He got the stoppage with just over a minute left in the final round, shortly after flooring the defending champion.
Japan’s Masamichi Yabuki (L) and Mexico’s Angel Ayala trade blows during their IBF world flyweight championship boxing match at Aichi Sky Expo in Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture, on March 29, 2025. (Kyodo)
Both boxers bled profusely as the result of an inadvertent head clash in the third round that left Yabuki with a deep gash on his cheek and Ayala with a severe cut above his eye.
Yabuki improved to 18 wins, 17 by knockout, with four losses, while the 24-year-old Ayala dropped to 18-1 with eight KOs.
According to the Japan Boxing Commission, Yabuki has a week to decide which of his two belts he will keep.
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AloJapan.com