By Daily Sports on January 1, 2018

Lanky Japanese speedster Ryoichi Taguchi (27-2-2 12 KOs), 107.75, unified the WBA and IBF 108-pound belts when he displayed a late surge to pound out a unanimous decision over Filipino Milan Melindo (37-3, 13 KOs), 107.5, twelve hard-fought gory rounds on Sunday in Tokyo, Japan.

The official tallies were as follows—Gustavo Jarquin (Nicaragua) 116-112, Francis Jackson (US) and Ignacio Robles (Panama) both 117-111, all in favor of Taguchi. The referee was Mark Nelson (US) who handled the fast-paced unification bout very well.

The WBA ruler Taguchi had a tough time coping with the shorter but sharper IBF titlist in earlier rounds, but the Japanese almost swept the second half by utilizing his advantageous height and reach.

They often made head collisions to see Melindo bleeding from gashes over both eyebrows and Taguchi from a cut on the forehead. In later rounds, Melindo was visibly fading and slowing down only to have Taguchi take the initiative to pile up important points down the stretch.

•Photo shows Ryoichi Taguchi.

Source Daily Sports

Posted January 1, 2018

Final 8 Basketball League Kicks Off Nov. 12...

Cavani's brace eliminates Portugal from 2018 World Cup;...

Qatar 2022 Qualifier: 21 Players Hit Super Eagles’...

Purported Amaju’s removal, most unfortunate –Etoroma

Kepa Faces Fight To Save Chelsea Career

Big-spending Akwa United steal Chima Akas from Enyimba...