Young Paras falls to Japanese champ Kyoguchi in 1st world title fight

Japan’s Hiroto Kyoguchi (R) and Philippines’ Vince Paras fight during thier IBF world minimumweight title boxing bout in Tokyo on May 20, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Kazuhiro NOGI

Vince Paras tasted early disappointment after falling to Japanese champion Hiroto Kyoguchi for the IBF world minimumweight title Sunday at Ota-City General Gymansium in Tokyo.

The 19-year-old from General Santos City came into his first world title shot with a 13-fight winning streak but got outclassed by the 24-year-old Kyoguchi, who won by unanimous decision after all three judges scored the bout, 117-110.

Kyoguchi (10-0), who once held the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation minimumweight belt, successfully defended the crown for the second time on his second title defense after stopping Nicaraguan Caros Buitrago in the eighth round in December of last year.

Paras suffered his first loss after starting his professional career with 13 wins (11 KOs).