Japan has added two more titles to its growing list in the space of 24 hours.
Both came at junior flyweight, with Shokichi Iwata the youngest to hoist a title over his head. It came in emphatic style when he knocked out Jairo Noriega in the third round to win the vacant WBO 108-pound belt on Saturday at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.
A right to the body and left hook over the top put Noriega up for the night at the end of the third in their ESPN+ opener.
Spain’s Noriega actually started strong in his first major title fight. He entered the ring as the underdog, but outboxed the heavy-handed Iwata by one.
That happiness didn’t last very long. Iwata (14-1, 11 knockouts) picked up the pace and never really looked back. The former title challenger landed the more telling blows and quickly built to the expected finish.
It came in a hurry as Iwata found his opening.
Noriega (14-1, 3 KOs) moved back to the ropes and ran out of ring space. Iwata connected with a right hand on the bottom to set up the money shot. A slick left hook caught Noriega on the chin to send him to the canvas.
Referee Raul Caiz Jr. immediately blew the match off.
The win saw Iwata collect the WBO junior flyweight title that was left behind in a mass exodus at the top of the division.
Jonathan ‘Bomba’ Gonzalez previously held the belt but vacated to compete at flyweight. The Puerto Rican boxer challenges WBO 112-pound titlist Anthony Olascuaga (7-1, 5 KOs) on Sunday in this very venue.
Iwata lost a twelve-round decision to Gonzalez in his title bid in November 2022. His lone loss has since been followed by a current five-fight winning streak, all within the distance.
The win for Iwata clinched a second title shot in the 108-pound division. It came 24 hours after compatriot Masamichi Yabuki (17-4, 16 KOs) dethroned Sivenathi Nontshinga (13-2, 10 KOs) to win the IBF belt on Saturday in Tokoname, Aichi, Japan.
