Promising young Japanese Yuya Nakamura has won the vacant WBC Asia Bantamweight Silver title with a rousing 2nd round knockout over tough Indonesian Rochmad Santoso in an exciting clash before a big crowd at the Angono Municipal Gym on Sunday on a fight card promoted by Aljoe Jaro.
The Japanese youngster used his three inch height advantage to good use as he nailed Santoso with long-range bombs but he also worked the inside and connected with some vicious uppercuts.
Nakamura displayed excellent hand-speed, good head and lateral movement and power against Santoso who was not afraid to stand and go toe-to- toe with the No.1 ranked Japanese.
A good combination by Nakamura to start round one set the tone for the action-packed bout with Santoso rocking Nakamura with a flurry of punches after the Japanese caught his Indonesian opponent with a perfectly timed uppercut that rocked his head back.
Both fighters were hurt as they trade big shots with Santoso occasionally switching to a southpaw stance and catching Nakamura with an overhand right.
Midway through the second round Nakamura caught Santoso with a picture-perfect uppercut that dropped the Indon who was then at the receiving end of a three-punch flurry capped by a right hook that dropped Santoso who was counted out by international referee Ferdinand Estrella at 1:33 of the round.
Nakamura was in tears as his handlers carried him around the ring in celebration of a big win.
Santoso lay flat on his back on the canvas and was administered oxygen by Games and Amusements Board doctor, Jose Rolando Rivera, and recovered in a short time.
