The RISE x GLORY Last Featherweight Standing tournament began 12 months ago, with 24 athletes competing for the right to be crowned king of the featherweight division. In Tokyo, the final four squared off to determine who would leave with gold around their waist.
Kento Haraguchi vs. Yura
{Kento Haraguchi} moved on to the Last Featherweight Standing Final after outclassing {Yura} over three rounds.
Haraguchi had an answer for everything Yura threw at him; a left kick that couldn’t miss, slick boxing and an ability to disrupt the rhythm of his young power-punching opponent.
Every time it looked like Yura was beginning to try and impose his style on the fight, Haraguchi immediately countered and shut down his offence, bullying him up close and sniping him from a distance.
Last gasp heroics were not enough to save the young man from Japan, as even when Yura managed to initiate a firefight up close, Haraguchi walked through the flames to dominate the exchange.
During the post-fight interview Haraguchi was full of respect for his younger opponent.
“Yura thank you for fighting with me, he is a rising star and I will win the tournament”.
Petchpanomrung vs. Miguel Trindade
{Petchpanomrung} secured his place in the tournament final with a comprehensive win over Portuguese powerhouse {Miguel Trindade}.
Starting fast saw the two men clash up close quickly, with Petch landing a kick to the cup in one of the early exchanges of the fight that certainly grabbed Trindade’s attention, but he quickly shrugged it off and looked to continue fighting.
In typical Petch fashion his left kick was the focus of his attacking output, he slammed it into Trindade’s body and legs like a baseball bat to disrupt his flow and tattoo his skin at the same time.
After losing his first two fights with Petch, Trindade hoped his aggression and southpaw style could negate the power of Petch’s left kick.
He did have his moments of success especially with his big power punches, but “The Professor” was simply too educated to get caught up in a scrap with the younger man.
Wherever Trindade was throwing, Petch was an inch or two away, ready to pounce with his lightening fast kicks and punishing clinch.
A draw on one of the scorecards felt generous, but the Thai technician moved on to the final where he would rematch another old foe in Kento Haraguchi.
Petchpanomrung vs. Kento Haraguchi
Kento Haraguchi shocked the world by overcoming Petchpanomrung to become the Last Featherweight Standing.
Opening the first round with his typical aggression, it looked to be another lesson in low kicks from The Professor as he targeted the body and legs of Haraguchi.
A massive left hook from Petch wobbled Haraguchi, but the Japanese fighter soon got his legs back under him and stayed in pocket against his Thai foe. Todd Grisham on commentary remarked: “No one can figure this guy [Petch] out”.
That began the curse of the commentator as Haraguchi began giving Petch no space whatsoever, staying in his face and forcing Petch to carry his weight after absorbing punishing strikes to the midsection.
Round three saw Kento Haraguchi throw everything he had at Petch to try and snap the Thai’s ten fight win streak in Glory.
A relentless campaign of body attacks saw Petch on the back foot for most of the round, forcing him into counter striking off the ropes as Haraguchi weathered all storms and marched forward.
Nothing could split them at the end of the fight, so a sudden victory round four was needed to decide the title.
Through grit, determination, and heart Kento Haraguchi pressed forward to force a surrender from Petch in a war of attrition.
As the judges raised his hand in victory, Kento Haraguchi could not contain his emotions as he had finally overcome his rival.
He showed the true warrior spirit needed to become a champion and in front of his home crowd, Kento Haraguchi was crowned The Last Featherweight Standing.
Kazuki Osaki vs. Ryujin Nasukawa
Two of Japan's top fighters squared off in the co-main event as {Kazuki Osaki} faced {Ryujin Nasukawa} in a 55 kg bout, with neither fighter's 53 kg title on the line.
Osaki was quick to take the center of the ring, pressuring Nasukawa toward the ropes. Nasukawa, however, proved elusive, peppering Osaki with clean punches while fighting off the back foot. While Nasukawa consistently found success with his volume and accuracy, it was Osaki's pressure and heavier shots that carried greater impact.
That proved especially true in the extra round, where Osaki pulled ahead to secure the decision victory.
Source: beyondkick.com