By Carlos Costa
In a bantamweight non-title clash, WBC International Flyweight Champion Rey Megriño of Misamis Occidental, Philippines scored an impressive round 3 technical knockout victory over Japanese MMA fighter Kenji Kubo today (Tuesday) at the historic Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
The 26-year-old Rey Megriño (19-20-3, 16KO's), the same Filipino underdog fighter who dramatically ended the brilliant career the 35-year-old Thailand warrior and "WBC Champion of the Decade" Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (87-5-2, 46KO's) last November in Thailand, this time in Tokyo destroyed kick boxer Kenji Kubo.
From the start, Kubo, a successful kick boxer and MMA fighter, had trouble with the boxer.
The third round was the fateful one.
Megriño pinned Kenji Kubo, 23, with violent attacks that hurt the brave Japanese warrior who capitulated in round 3, laying flat on his back on the canvas of the historic Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, worrying fans and cornermen, as Megriño raised his right hand in a sign of victory.
During the intense combat, Megrino was assisted by his compatriot cornerman and manager Brico Santig of Baguio's Highland Boxing, the experienced and active man of boxing who last year won the WBC Asia Promoter of the year award.
Before the fight, Santig had commented that the fight could be tough as "all Japanese boxers are strong, but Megriño is in good shape and ready." It seems he was more than ready.
It was the fourth consecutive knockout for Megrino who most likely will improve his ranking in the WBC flyweight division. He is currently ranked by the WBC at #20.
Today's fights at the Korakuen Hall was a production of the very active Kadoebi Jewel Promotions Company of Tokyo.