Bryan 'Tiquito' Vasquez vs Takashi Uchiyama, WBA World Super Featherweight Title

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• published: 03 Mar 2013
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Takashi Uchiyama Crushes Bryan Vasquez In Eight Rounds, Takashi Uchiyama scored his second consecutive New Year's Eve knockout, this time drilling Costa Rica's Bryan Vasquez in eight rounds Monday evening in Tokyo. The battle proved to be a stiffer test than expected for Uchiyama, regarded by many as the best 130 lb. fighter in the world. The case was made as far back as a year ago, but gained even stronger ground after unbeaten American rising star Adrien Broner abandoned the division earlier in the year. Despite the accolades, the year had not been kind to Uchiyama. His lone action in 2012 was an anti-climactic three-round technical draw against Michael Farenas this past July. The result was in stark contrast to his previous encounter, a Knockout-of-the-Year level 11th round drilling of Jorge Solis. Uchiyama returned to that level of savagery with his performance on Monday evening, dishing out a vicious beating against Vasquez throughout the night. The fight wasn't a complete rout, however. Vasquez offered a solid account of himself, perhaps lending credence to his unbeaten record and status as mandatory title challenger. The brave showing would be all that he had left, though. A give-and-take affair through four rounds turned into a showcase performance for Uchiyama the rest of the way through. Vasquez offered the mother of all chins as he remained upright through consecutive rounds of brutality in the fifth and sixth frames. Uchiyama closed the show in brilliant fashion, unloading on Vasquez for all three minutes of an eighth round that could have offered a stoppage at any point. American referee Raul Caiz Jr. inexplicably sat back and played the role of spectator as Vasquez' health was compromised with each head-snapping power shot. The third man finally realized his role well after the challenger was out on his feet, stepping in just as the bell rang to end the round. The official time was 2:59 of round eight. Uchiyama advances to 19-0 (16KO), while Vasquez heads back to Costa Rica with his first official loss as he falls to 29-1 (15KO). The first few weeks of the New Year will mark the three-year anniversary of Uchiyama's dramatic 12th round knockout win over Juan Carlos Salgado to begin his 130 lb. title reign. Salgado has since reclaimed a portion of the crown and is presently in negotiations for a rematch with Argenis Mendez, whom he bested to win the vacant belt in Sept. '11. A showdown between Uchiyama and the winner of that contest could very well establish true divisional supremacy. For now, the 33-year old can take pride in the fact that he managed to literally go out with a bang on New Year's Eve for the second straight year.