The WBC MuayThai Japan Super Bantamweight Championship delivered one of the most competitive contests of the evening at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on August 2, as champion Issei Saenchi Gym successfully defended his title against the determined Riku Otsu.
From the opening round, both athletes displayed exceptional skill, heart, and determination in a closely contested battle that kept the outcome in doubt until the final bell.
The pivotal moment came in the third round when Issei repeatedly found success with his devastating knees, scoring with precision and gaining a crucial advantage on the judges’ scorecards. Refusing to back down, Otsu responded with tremendous resilience, mounting a spirited comeback and finishing the fight strongly by taking the fifth round.
However, despite the late surge, it was not enough to overcome Issei’s earlier work. After five hard-fought rounds, the judges awarded Issei a split decision victory with scores of 47-48, 48-47, and 48-47, securing his first successful defense of the WBC MuayThai Japan Super Bantamweight Championship.
Congratulations to Issei Saenchi Gym on an outstanding performance and a hard-earned first title defense against a world-class challenger.
