Veteran southpaw Yuko Kuroki confirmed as soon as once more why she stays a power in girls’s minimumweight boxing, delivering a masterclass to defeat fellow Japanese contender Nanako Suzuki by unanimous resolution Thursday night time at Tokyo’s iconic Korakuen Corridor, in the principle occasion of Phoenix Battle 138.
Kuroki (now 25-8-2, 9 KOs) used each ounce of her expertise to manage the tempo throughout ten rounds towards a youthful, aggressive challenger. The scorecards advised the story: 97-93, 98-92, and a dominant 99-91 — all in favor of the reigning champ.
Suzuki (9-4, 3 KOs), simply 25 years previous, got here out with urgency, attempting to shut the space and switch the battle right into a gritty change. However Kuroki, ever composed, relied on her sharp proper jab and pinpoint countershots to neutralize the stress and progressively break her opponent’s rhythm.
With this victory, the 34-year-old Kuroki efficiently defended her WBA minimumweight world title for the primary time since claiming the belt in 2024. The efficiency was a transparent assertion: whereas time could also be transferring ahead, Kuroki’s abilities stay sharp and her place on the high of the division remains to be safe.
It was an evening of high quality boxing in Tokyo — and as soon as once more, Kuroki left the ring along with her hand raised and her legacy intact.
