By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda
Unbeaten southpaw prodigy Tenshin Nasukawa (5-0, 2 KOs), 118, formerly kick-boxing titlist with an unblemished mark of 42-0, acquired the vacant WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight belt when he defeated Filipino Gerwin Asilo (9-1, 4 KOs), 117.5, by a unanimous decision (98-91 twice, 97-92) over ten speedy rounds on Monday in Tokyo, Japan.
Tenshin, tremendously popular among younger generations, was in command in a sizzling contest with the counterpunching Filipino. The ninth saw Tenshin land a southpaw left to the belly, sending his rival to the deck. For the near-future world title challenger it might be a good lesson to experience going the distance.
Promoter: Teiken Promotions.
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