Magramo loses to Japanese foe via KO in world title bout

MANILA, Philippines—Filipino boxer Giemel Magramo fell in his first world title bout losing to Junto Nakatani via knockout in the eighth round for the vacant WBO World flyweight title Friday at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.

Nakatani controled the title fight, the first in Japan since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, from the start against the Filipino boxer.

Nakatani, who is three inches taller than Magramo, used his jab and length to dictate the action and a cracking left hand found its mark setting up an offensive barrage that put the Filipino down.

Magramo managed to get up and beat the count but referee Nobuto Ikehara decided to stop the contest.

Nakatani (21-0) remained perfect and extended his knockout streak to four fights.

Magramo, meanwhile, saw his seven-fight winning streak end and settled for a 24-2 record.