Japan’s Masayuki Ito Captures WBO Super Featherweight Title in Florida

Masayuki Ito proved why Japan dominates the super featherweight division with an impressive decision victory over Puerto Rico’s Christopher Diaz to win the WBO world title on a Top Rank card Saturday in Kissimmee, Florida.

In winning by unanimous decision, Tokyo’s Ito (24-1-1, 12 KOs) showed Diaz (23-1, 15 KOs) why Japan has so much success in the 130-pound division with an emphatic win. The Japanese fighter was in strong command during the second half of the fight.

Until the fourth round it was a competitive battle. But then, during one of many brutal exchanges, a right cross by Ito connected and floored the Puerto Rican. The complexion of the fight suddenly shifted in Ito’s favor.

“Since the beginning of the fight, I knew I had more power and I dropped him,” said Ito, fighting for the first time outside Japan.

After the knockdown Ito kept the pressure on Diaz who suddenly realized that he could be hurt by the Japanese fighter. Both were still willing to exchange blows but the tide had moved in another direction.

“In my mind, I kept saying that it was a close fight and that is why I kept going for the knockout,” said Ito, 27.

Diaz’s dream of becoming a world champion was ebbing away as he kept trying to find the antidote for Ito’s attacks. But it wasn’t in the cards for the Puerto Rican fighter. After 12 rounds the judges saw the fight in Ito’s favor by scores of 116-111, 117-110, and 118-109.

“I believe in myself. I knew I was going to become a world champion, and that is exactly what happened,” said Ito, who becomes the sixth Japanese male world champion. “I knew that this was going to be a good fight, and I respect Diaz for coming ready to fight. He is a warrior. This is a dream come true for me. Now, I want bigger fights.”

Other Bouts

A battle between welterweights saw late replacement Gabriel Bracero (25-3-1, 6 KOs) who is not known as a heavy puncher score a knockout in the fifth round with a body shot against Southern California’s Artemio Reyes (25-3, 20 KOs).

“Even though I came in as a last-minute replacement, I told you guys I was ready,” Bracero said. “I was in camp working hard and helping Robert Easter Jr. for his fight (against Mikey Garcia). This felt like a sparring session to me. I feel great! I’m hungry! I want to get back in the ring as soon as possible.”

Russia’s Vladimir Nikitin (1-0) won his pro debut with a dominating performance that included two knockdowns against Edward Kakembo (10-6) in a six round fight. The former Olympic bronze medalist won by scores 60-52 twice and 60-51.

Brazil’s Esquiva Falcao (21-0) stopped Jonathan Tavira (17-6) at 1:38 of the first round of a middleweight contest.

Luiz Melendez (1-0) drilled Vicente Loredo (1-2) with a barrage of blows and sent him out of the ring to win by knockout at 1:19 of the first round of a featherweight clash.

A super lightweight clash saw Yomar Alamo (15-0, 12 KOs) knock out Wilfredo Buelvas (18-10) in the fourth round.

Welterweight Jose Lopez (11-0, 9 KOs) knocked out Jorge Rodriguez (10-3) at 39 seconds of the second round.

Hometown fighter Antonio Vargas (7-0) won the battle of bantamweights by unanimous decision after six rounds against Aaron Lopez (5-3).

Photo credit: Mikey Williams / Top Rank

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