By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Unbeaten hard-punching OPBF featherweight champ WBA#6 Mikito Nakano (12-0, 11 KOs), 126, very impressively decked compatriot challenger Hiroki Hanabusa (13-4-5, 5 KOs), 126, twice and halted him at 2:05 of the third round to retain his regional belt in his initial defense on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. His manager/promoter Akihiko Honda praised his fine performance, saying, “I’m now handling nine champions, but Nakano is one of the best among them. I’ll have him face a world-rated opponent next.” Nakano floored the game challenger with a beautiful southpaw left uppercut and then with a well-timed right hook again so badly that referee Fukuchi wisely declared a well-received halt. He may be a champion in the making.

BoxRec: Mikito Nakano
Promoter: Teiken Promotions.

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