By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Three-division world champ, 35-year-old Japanese warrior Akira Yaegashi (27-6, 15 KOs), 114.5, impressively disposed of WBO#14 Hirofumi Mukai (16-6-3, 6 KOs), 115, with his furious attacks at 2:55 of the seventh round on Friday in Tokyo, Japan. For IBF#6/WBA#12/WBO#12 Akira, the flyweight category may be his best weight, but he’s still gunning for the fourth super-fly belt.

From the outset Yaegashi took the initiative against the taller southpaw who once challenged Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, then WBC 115-pound champ at his first reign, only to be halted in the ninth in Thailand in 2013.

The shorter Yaegashi by four inches accelerated his attack and had Mukai at bay in the fourth. The southpaw from Osaka, however, turned loose to have the veteran retreating with effective combinations midway in the sixth, but Yaegashi exploded a vicious countering right to have him staggering in the sixth session. It might be a good candidate of Round of the Year.

The next seventh saw Akira display explosive attacks that had Mukai reeling to the ropes and down there, when the ref Nakamura declared a halt. Yaegashi proved still strong before his adherents.

Promoter: Ohashi Promotions.