Ken Shiro stops Jonathan Taconing in four!
WBC junior flyweight champion Ken Shiro, the Japanese sensation was making the sixth defense of his title against the hard-punching Jonathan Taconing from the Philippines.
The orthodox champion started the fight using the jab against his southpaw opponent which allowed him to effectively maintain distance and fight at mid-range. A home was found for the uppercut while the champ elected to fight off his back-foot.
However, the primary reason Shiro was on his back-foot was due to the pressure of the challenger. Though overmatched skill-wise, the challenger did have success landing the straight left and countering the champion on the inside.
In the third round things really started to heat up as both men landed hard punches, however, the champion shifted into another gear.
Taking advantage of the opponent leaning too far past his knee, he consistently landed the uppercut. A stoppage in action due to a clash of heads that formed a cut over the right eye of the challenger, only temporarily postponed the notion that this fight would not go the distance.
Shiro would get his way the fourth as he started the round with a blistering pace. He would use the challengers aggression against him while side stepping landing a devastating counter right that sent Taconing to the canvas.
The Filipino fighter would get back up on wobbly legs prompting the ref to stop the fight.
Shiro once again had a spectacular performance improving his record to (16-0, 9KO). This victory set up a possible mega unification fight between fellow countryman and undefeated Lineal/WBA champion Hiroto Kyoguchi.
3kingsboxing.com previously reported that both men were open to a unification that could take place in December.
By: Garrisson Bland
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