By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda
Hard-punching southpaw WBC#5 Yamato Hata (20-2-1, 18 KOs), 129.75, successfully retained his OPBF super featherweight belt as he kept outhustling and overpowering ex-national titlist Ryo Sagawa (14-6, 9 KOs), 129.75, to score a fine TKO victory at 0:20 of the ninth round on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. Hata, the nephew of sumo wrestler Kyokudozan (retired), incessantly battered the challenger from all angles and finally had the loser’s cornerman toss in the towel in the fatal session. The muscular lefty Hata, making his fifth defense of the regional belt, proved too powerful and merciless for Sagawa who occasionally responded with solid counters but couldn’t cope with the champ’s accelerated attack.
Promoter: Teiken Promotions.
The post WBC#5 Hata Halts Sagawa, Keeps OPBF 130lb Belt appeared first on FightNews.
