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Photo by Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images

by:

Joshuwa
"Ashyknuckles"
Jernigan

In a great scrap between two top bantamweights, Fernando Montiel (41-2-2, 31 KO) stopped WBC Champion Hozumi Hasegawa (28-3, 12 KO) with a flurry that took the fight out of the Japanese champion. Hozumi Hasegawa looked strong early as he was taking round after round by outclassing Montiel.

Montiel looked stiff and tight from the onset, and basically unsure of taking the necessary chances to gain the champion's respect. He was overshooting his shots, overstepping when closing the gaps which took away his punching range as he was missing his power shots. Hasegawa, unphased by Montiel, continued to press the action as he easily controlled the fight.

Out of nowhere, a well-timed left hand, followed up with a rapid combinations immediately turned the fight into Montiel's favor. Hasegawa, on shaky legs, showed signs of not being able to go on, forced referee Laurence Cole to wave off the fight in the fourth round. The stoppage victory makes Montiel a legit unified WBO/WBC champion, and possibly sets up bigger payday fights in the future against the likes of Jorge Arce, or WBA champion Anselmo Moreno. He could also wait for the winner of IBF champion Yonnhy Perez vs Abner Mares. This, in the end, was a very good win for the new champion Fernando Montiel.