Kosei Tanaka dominates in flyweight debut

This is a bit late on my part, but yesterday was Easter.

Former two-division champion Kosei Tanaka picked up his first flyweight victory and his fifth stoppage in his last six fights on Saturday with a ninth-round finish of Ronnie Baldonado in Nagoya. You can watch the whole fight here; Tanaka, as always, was a vicious little slugger and Baldonado made up for his technical flaws with enthusiasm.

Baldonado’s Ricardo Mayorga impression in the third round has to be seen to be believed.

WBO champion Sho Kimura was ringside as a guest announcer. Tanaka is his #1 contender, so a domestic showdown could be in the cards for later this year. The style matchup is delectable.

Tanaka (11-0, 7 KO) previously held titles at minimumweight and light flyweight, defending each at least once. He turns 23 in June. Baldonado (10-1-1, 7 KO) held the WBO “Oriental” title, for whatever’s that’s worth.