On Friday night, Hiroto Kyoguchi retained his WBA junior flyweight title by stoppage over Esteban Bermudez in a bloody battle at the Domo Alcade in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Kyoguchi (16-0 11 KOs) was putting his belts on the line for the fourth time against the WBA regular champion Bermudez (14-4-2 10 KOs), and the pair put on an all-action blood and guts battle that would have found space in a phone box.

The Japanese set a ferocious pace, constantly finding a home for his uppercut, and a cut to the forehead from a head clash only made a tough opening all the harder for the Mexican. Kyoguchi had a point deducted in the sixth for use of the head and in the seventh for hitting behind the head as Bermudez was heading to the canvas from a barrage of punches.

The end was around the corner for the homeland favorite, and despite the roars from his fellow countryman, Kyoguchi unloaded one more barrage of punches that Bermudez could not withstand, and the travelling champion landed the 11th KO win of his career in the eighth round, and now wants unification showdowns.

“I have always wanted to fight in Mexico with the great fans here and I am so glad that I did,” said Kyoguchi. “It’s a great win and I am ready for the next step. There are many other champions in the division, and I want to fight them.

“The Mexican fans love boxing - it was a tough atmosphere, but I loved it and I want to thank them for coming tonight and for their support, and for the fans in Japan too. 

“I thanked him for the great fight that we put on and was sorry for the points deductions. I thought that they were a bit strict, but they gave him damage, so I was sorry for that.”