Former WBC champ Yabuki halts Thanongsak
By Joe Koizumi
Former WBC 108-pound champ Masamichi Yabuki (14-4, 13 KOs), 110.25, clocked an important victory on Saturday in his home turf Yokkaichi, Japan, when he withstood the constant pressure of unbeaten Thanongsak Simsri (23-1, 21 KOs), 110, and dropped the Thailander three times en route to a fine stoppage at 1:19 of the seventh round in a scheduled 10.
Having been dethroned by ex-titlist Kenshiro Yabuki via one-punch knockout in a rematch this March, Yabuki connected with a well-timed right counter, flooring the 22-year-old Thai in the closing seconds of the second.
Game and gallant, Thanongsak maintained his aggressiveness, stalking the ex-champ all the way, but it was Yabuki that decked him again with a wicked combo in round six.
The seventh stanza saw Yabuki, 30, explode a solid combo, dropping the aggressor for the third time to prompt the referee’s intervention.
That's the former world champion's 13th KO from 14 victories.
