Veteran southpaw Yuko Kuroki confirmed as soon as once more why she stays a pressure in girls’s minimumweight boxing, handing over a masterclass to defeat fellow Japanese contender Nanako Suzuki by unanimous resolution Thursday night time at Tokyo’s iconic Korakuen Corridor, in the primary 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 informed 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Suzuki (9-4, 3 KOs), simply 25 years outdated, got here out with urgency, attempting to shut the gap and switch the battle right into a gritty trade. However Kuroki, ever composed, relied on her sharp proper jab and pinpoint countershots to neutralize the strain and step by step 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 expertise stay sharp and her place on the prime of the division continues 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.
