Kano stops Sakae in 9th round

By LITO DELOS REYES

Southpaw Riku Kano came off the canvas twice to stop Takumi Sakae at 2:12 of the 9th round and retained his World Boxing Organization Asia Pacific Light Flyweight title last July 23 at the EDION Arena in Osaka, Japan.

Kano, 23, was dropped in the second and fifth rounds with solid body shots.

But Kano, a former World Boxing Council Youth World Light flyweight titleholder and OPBF Minimum champion, came back strong in the 9th round.

Kano, ranked WBO no. 5, improved his record to 18 wins with nine knockouts against four defeats and one draw while Sakae, 26, dropped to four setbacks against 22 wins and one draw.

The promotion was made by Taisei Marumoto.

photo by Boxing Beat

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