Timofey Nastyukhin vs Kotetsu Boku in a ONE Championship bout. Photo from ONE Championship
What could’ve been the most explosive fight of the night ended abruptly with Timofey Nastyukhin unable to continue his featherweight bout against Kotetsu Boku due to an injury.
Nastyukhin had to be stretchered off after hurting his right shin in the first round as Boku took home the victory.
Showing great resolve, the 26-year-old Russian still managed to finish the opening round despite taking crushing blows from Boku, who smelled blood and went for the finish.
Timofey Nastyukhin had to be carried on a stretcher after hurting his right shin in the first round of his featherweight fight against Kotetsu Boku in ONE: Defending Honor at Singapore Indoor Stadium in Kallang, Singapore. Mark Giongco/INQUIRER.net
Boku, the Japanese power-puncher, wound up taking the victory.
Boku and Nastyukhin came out trading crisp shots and had the crowd anticipating an early knockout.
The bout was one of the most keenly-awaited match-ups in a stacked ONE: Defending Honor fight card headlined by Filipino MMA star Eduard “Landslide” Folayang and lightweight titleholder Shinya Aoki.