By Rey Danseco
PHILIPPINE super bantamweight champion Alex Escaner learned his lesson last year when he made sure his second fight in Osaka, Japan was a night to remember.
Escaner demolished previously undefeated Japanese southpaw Kenji Yoshimura with hard combinations at 1:48 mark of the fourth of scheduled 8-round featherweight fight at IMP Hall.
The victory of the native of Libac town in Sultan Kudarat has avenged his frustrating unanimous decision loss in his first appearance in Osaka in February of last year against Nobuto Ikehara.
“At least, I was able to show to the fans in Osaka that Filipino champion like me isn’t a loser and I dedicate this victory to Filipino and Japanese fans who support me,” said Escaner upon his arrival yesterday in Paranaque City.
Escaner was behind on points before he took two jackpots by sending the taller and heavier Japanese fighter twice to the canvas before finishing off the fight.
Escaner, who weighed 123 ½ -- 2 ½ lbs lighter to Yoshimura -- improves his record to 23-12-5 with 10 knockouts.
Yoshimura, 26-year old protégé of Japan’s leading promoter Akihiko Honda like Ikehara, drops his record to 5-1, 2 KOs.
