By Steve Kim
Masayuki Ito opened up a few eyes this past weekend by upsetting undefeated Christopher Diaz for the vacant WBO 130-pound title in Kissimmee, Florida.
In what was an entertaining affair, the 27-year old from Japan consistently beat Diaz to the punch and was able to floor 'Pitufo' in the fourth round on his way to a well-deserved unanimous decision.
Now, alongside the likes Gervonta Davis, Miguel Berchelt and Alberto Machado, Ito is a belt-holder in the super featherweight division. In a few days, Tevin Farmer and Billy Dib will battle for the vacant IBF world title in Australia.
"I think the best is yet to come," said his trainer, Rudy Hernandez, who is a familiar face in the corner of Japanese boxers
"I think that now becoming a world champion brings a whole lot more confidence and he's going to believe a little bit more in himself now."
What's remarkable about Ito (24-1-1, 12 KO's) is that he had no amateur fights to his credit. Hernandez says he takes an old-school approach to training Ito and his other boxers.
"I'm a strong believer that the old-school is the only school," he stated. "That if you put your combinations together because all these other people are working these damn mitts and myriad of combinations - and during the fight they throw 1, 2 punches."
Throughout the night, the rangy Ito hit Diaz with a multitude of combinations throughout the fight, while also showing a stout set of whiskers himself.
As for what's next for Ito, Hernandez told Boxingscene.com - "He goes back to Japan and there's a good chance he'll be fighting in November."
The next opponent is unknown, but the highest rated contender is Evgeny Chuprakov.
Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com.
