MANILA – Jay-r Raquinel of the Philippines retained his OPBF featherweight title after a fourth-round technical-knockout win against Japan’s Shun Kosaka at the Big Wave in Wakayama, Japan.
Raquinel, a native of Bacolod City, successfully defended the title for the first time on Sunday since capturing it in March by defeating the heavily favored Keisuke Nakayama.
The Filipino caught Kosaka off guard via numerous left and right combinations in an aggressive start. The Japanese tried to retaliate but the former defended well.
Raquinel heightened his aggression in the third round with a solid left before he floored Kosaka midway in the fourth – with a left hook to the jaw, Raquinel sent the Japanese fighter on the canvas flat on his back.
“Sinigurado ko talaga na matapos iyong match via knockout dahil mahirap manalo ng decision dito sa Japan, especially kung Japanese ang kalaban,” Raquinel said after the match.
After the fight the 21-year-old Bacolodnon sustained his unbeaten 10-0-1 win-loss-draw record including seven stoppage wins. It was also his second consecutive TKO win.
Meanwhile the 23-year-old Kosoka dropped to 15-4-0 with 4 KO victories. It was the Japanese fighter’s first professional boxing title clash since beginning his career in 2012./PN
