World Boxing Organization’s Asia-Pacific minimumweight champion Goki Kobayashi of Shinsei Boxing Gym, surviving a ninth-round onslaught, hammered out a 10-round unanimous decision over Joseph Sumabong of the Philippines and retained his title on June 23 in Osaka.
It was the 25-year-old Kobayashi’s first successful defense of the title he captured by stopping Yuri Kanaya of Kaneko Boxing Gym in February.
Fighting at EDION Arena’s annex, the 25-year-old Kobayashi exchanged fierce blows with his left-handed opponent from the opening bell by chiefly working Sumabong’s body and piled up points.
In the ninth round, the 22-year-old challenger connected with a barrage of straight lefts to the head, momentarily staggering the champion.
But Kobayashi hung tough, managed to survive the round and the 10th round. Kobayashi bled profusely in the final round.
With the victory, Kobayashi improved his record to eight wins, including five KOs, against a loss. The previously undefeated Sumabong, ranked fourth in the division, now has a 6-1 win-loss record with three KOs.