Title Fights From Around the World: Masamichi Yabuki Champion, Baumgardner Returns

Today, boxing world title fights take place around the globe and are more accessible to watch than ever before. Sometimes, championship bouts do not receive as much attention and go underreported. Big Fight Weekend commits to writing about boxing news, previews, and recaps. As such, the site now has a recurring segment on championship bouts – from around the world from the past week.

The focus of these pieces will be on clashes ranging from atomweight to heavyweight that had the WBA, WBC, IBF, and/or WBO titles on the line. This edition of “Title Fights From Around the World” consists of two recaps. Over in Japan, the IBF light flyweight title switched hands. In late September, a bout for the undisputed super featherweight championship ended in a no contest.

Title Fights From Around the World: Masamichi Yabuki Champ Again, Alycia Baumgardner Returns

Masamichi Yabuki Stops Sivenathi Nontshinga

Masamichi Yabuki (17-4, 16 KOs) became a light flyweight champion once again by defeating Sivenathi Nontshinga (13-2, 10 KOs) via ninth-round technical knockout.

The stoppage time was 1:50. With the victory, Yabuki now holds the IBF light flyweight title. Previously, he had held the WBC belt when he stopped Kenshiro Teraji in 2021. Yabuki lost that title in his first defence, losing a rematch to Teraji in 2022.

Nontshinga-Yabuki headlined an October 12 Kameda Promotions card at the Aichi Sky Expo in Tokoname, Japan. Boxing fans in Japan could catch the action live on Abema. Matchroom Boxing’s YouTube channel broadcasted the Nontshinga-Yabuki bout for the rest of the world.

Yabuki had a lot of success with his jab, something that kept his opponent at bay for much of the contest and prevented him from getting hit with too many power shots. In round eight, a series of right hands to the head caused Nontshinga to take a knee in a corner with roughly 20 seconds to go. The South African got up, but it was the beginning of the end for him.

In round nine, a left hook stunned Nontshinga before a barrage of punches put him down again. Yabuki ended things soon after, landing a right hand to the temple that sent his opponent down. Following this knockdown, referee Mark Calo-oy ended proceedings, giving Yabuki the ninth-round stoppage win and making him the world champion again.

For the fight in its entirety, click here or the play button below. Video courtesy of Matchroom Boxing.

Alycia Baumgardner and Delfine Persoon Fight Ends in No Contest

Note: This fight did not take place last week, but rather on September 27. Big Fight Weekend is incorporating it into this edition of “Title Fights From Around the World.”

Alycia Baumgardner’s defence of her undisputed super featherweight status ended in a no-contest after Delfine Persoon (49-3, 19 KOs, 2 NCs) sustained a cut.

The time of stoppage was 1:37 of round four. As four entire rounds had not been completed, the official result of this boutwas a no-contest. Baumgardner (15-1, 7 KOs, 1 NC) remains the undisputed super featherweight world champion.

The two women headlined a Global Combat Collective card at Lux Studios in Atlanta, GA. Boxing fans around the world could catch the action live on BrinxTV.

In the opening round, Baumgardner landed a left hand that caused both of Persoon’s gloves to touch the canvas. Referee Laurence Cole immediately ruled a knockdown and issued a count. The round ended immediately after that.

Baumgardner continued to have success following the knockdown. She had little trouble landing her punches on Persoon, who was wearing a massive brace on her right leg. In round four, a clash of heads caused a cut to appear over the right eyebrow of Persoon. Upon inspection from a ringside physician, the fight was waved off, resulting in a no contest.

Baumgardner had last fought in July 2023, winning a unanimous decision against Christina Linardatou. However, a positive drug test from Baumgardner resulted in her spending considerable time away from the ring. For more on that and the aftermath, here is an article from The Ring’s Jake Donovan.