Masanori Rakiishi has picked up the first of what he hopes are many career-defining victories. 

The super featherweight traveled to Palazzetto Romboli, Lazio, Italy to upset local favorite Michael Magnesi on Friday, March 22. Rakiishi faced an early deficit on the scorecards forcing him to rally back, winning via a 12th-round technical knockout in a thriller. 

Magnesi (23-2, 13 KOs), the hometown fighter from Cave, Lazio won the early rounds with smart, relentless pressure and a sharp right hand that was timed well. 

Rakiishi (15-1, 10 KOs) was fighting outside Japan for the first time in his career yet the oddsmakers listed Rakiishi as a slight favorite heading into the fight despite being in hostile territory. 

Rakiishi, a southpaw, saw his straight lefts connect more frequently in the mid-rounds. Despite Magnesi's toughness, Rakiishi began to adjust to Magnesi’s style and forced him into a difficult fight. In the championship rounds, Rakiishi began to take over. Rakiishi was able to evade Magnesi with lateral movement, and with each blow Magnesi missed Rakiishi threw more. 

Down on the scorecards heading into the final round, Rakiishi sensed the need for a stoppage. Magnesi was overwhelmed and exhausted. A right hook dropped Magnesi for the first time in the round and a sequence of punches ending with a left hook sent Magnesi to the canvas again. A minute remained, Magnesi was tired and fell to the ropes, and then to the floor where a count was issued for the third time in the round. 

The bout continued as Rakiishi’s onslaught of power shots left Magnesi out on his feet. The fight was stopped by referee Hector Afu at 2:34 of the final round.

The win secured Rakiishi the WBC Silver title. The world title is currently held by O’Shaquie Foster. The fight mirrored Foster’s win over Eduardo ‘Rocky’ Hernandez.

Rakiishi entered the bout ranked No. 5 in the WBC rankings. He was also the No. 6 super featherweight by the IBF and No. 10 by the WBO.