Nery dethrones long-reigning champion Yamanaka

Unbeaten Mexican Luis Nery (24-0, 18 KOs) dethroned previously unbeaten Shinsuke Yamanaka (27-1-2, 19 KOs) to win the WBC bantamweight title on Tuesday at Shimazu Arena in Kyoto, Japan.

Nery, 22, who was fighting outside of his home country for the first time as a professional, stopped Yamanaka, 34,  by fourth round TKO, ending the Japanese fighter’s nearly 6-year world title reign.

Southpaw Yamanaka worked well behind his jab at the start but Nery, also a southpaw, was landing some hard shots as the fight progressed.

A hard left hand rocked Yamanaka in the fourth round, and Nery battered him against the ropes before Yamanaka’s corner entered the ring to stop the fight at 2:29 of the round.

Yamanaka was making his 13th defence of the WBC belt.