OVER-MATCHED FRANCISCO KO?D IN FOURTH ROUND IN JAPAN

Over-matched Filipino fighter Elmar Francisco has been knocked out in the 4th round of a scheduled ten-round bout at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo by former world title challenger Ryo Akaho who is also ranked No.12 super flyweight by both the WBC and the WBO.

Hall-of-Fame broadcast-journalist and matchmaker Joe Koizumi reported that Akaho proved too powerful for Francisco and ?battered him from all angles? before finally taking him out at 0:44 of the fourth round.

Koizumi said Akaho displayed his previous speed and power in ?whipping the over-matched and intimidated Filipino from the outset? and hurt him with solid combinations.

Akaho pinned Francisco in a corner and landed a solid left hook to the mid-section followed by a vicious ovcerhand right that dropped the Filipino who failed to beat the count because he was badly hurt.

It was Francisco?s 5th loss in his last 6 fights with 1 majority draw once again raising serious questions about the approval of such fights by the Games and Amusements Board headed by Dr. Nasser Cruz.

With the loss the 27 year old Francisco dropped to 16 wins with 19 losses, 2 draws with 4 wins by knockout while the 26 year old Akaho improved to 20-1-2 with 13 knockouts.