In October of 2018 Japan’s Ryota Murata defended his WBA World Middleweight title against America’s Robert “Bravo” Brant losing a decision and his title belt in Las Vegas, NV. In the rematch Friday Murata regained the title stopping Brant at 2:34 of the 2nd round at the Edion Arena in Osaka, Japan. This was a Teiken Promotions – Akihiko Honda and Top Rank Boxing – Bob Arum promotion.

In the Main Event Brant, 25-2 (17), 159 ¼, out of Dallas, TX, was defeated by the former champion Ryota Murata, 159 1/2, now No. 4 ranked and the 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist, 15-2 (12), of Tokyo, JAP, at 2:34 of the second round in a scheduled 12 round bout.

In the first round both fighters let it all hang out. Murata came forward and Brant countered well seemingly outscoring Murata in a close first round.

In the second round Murata came out looking to take over and that he did. He hurt champion Brant early in the round. He stayed on top of Brant landing punches without return dropping him halfway through the round for an 8 count by referee Louis Pabon. Upon rising Brant was obvious hurt and had little in return as Murata kept on top of him landing a right knocking him back toward the ropes forcing referee Pabon wisely calling a halt.

In the co-feature Ken “Amazing Boy” Shiro, 107 ¾, 16-0 (9), out of made his sixth defense of his WBC Light Flyweight title stopping No. 1 contender Jonathan “Lightning” Taconing, 108, 24-8-1 (22), of Manila, PH, at 1:00 of the fourth round in a scheduled 12.

In the first round Taconing kept the pressure on Shiro who with fast hands countered him well. At the end of the round Shiro pushed Taconing to the canvas without warning from referee Frank Garza.

In the second round Taconing started to go to the body as much as he could with the countering Shiro who was using an effective jab and right uppercut. In the third round Taconing pulled the back of the head of Shiro cutting Taconing over the right eye on the forehead. This seemed to spur Taconing to come on the remainder of the round.

In the fourth round Taconing walked into a right on the chin from Shiro followed by a left uppercut on the way down falling onto his right side obviously hurt. He struggled to get up though not steady on his feet and not looking clear headed. Referee Garza took a good look at Taconing and stopped the fight.

WBO Asia-Pacific Super Featherweight Champion southpaw Joe “Jaw Breaker” Noynay, 18-2-1 (7), of Cebu, PH, stopped OPBF Champion and 2016 Olympic Bronze Medalist Satoshi Shimizu, 8-1 (8), of Yokahama, JAP, in the sixth round of the scheduled 12 rounds.

In the first round the aggressive Noynay dropped Shimizu twice. In the second round it was close with Shimizu trying to get back into the fight but getting hit by overhand lefts from Noynay. By the end of the round Shimizu had swelling around his right eye.

In the third round Shimizu became the aggressor trying to get back into the fight and seemed to take the round. In the fourth round Noynay countered well almost closing the right eye of Shimizu in another close round.

In the fifth round Shimizu was trying to take command but Noynay countered him well with left hands on the chin. In the sixth round Shimizu had a bloody nose but kept coming forward. With his face swelling Shimizu turned away and got hit on the back of the head by Noynay and went down. Referee immediately stopped the fight.