the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

Fujita stopped Nicolas at the 54 second mark of the second round of a scheduled eight-rounder.

The 29-year-old Fujita, a veteran of 173 amateur fights, won his fourth straight contest since turning pro in 2021. Nicolas is his third Pinoy victim after beating Ronnie Campos and Jestine Tesoro last year. He’s now 4-0 with three knockouts.

The 23-year-old Nicolas, who fights out of the PMI Boxing Gym in Bohol, suffered his first career defeat. It was also his first fight overseas. He fell to 7-1 with four knockouts.

Nicolas had an impressive run last year, wherein he won all four of his fights and captured the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Oriental Youth featherweight belt. He beat Mark Anthony Rotilles, Marjon Piencenaves and Jerry Pabila before walking away with a split decision over Tesoro to win the vacant WBO Oriental Youth featherweight strap. (EKA)