Asilo suffers KO loss in Japan

Sports

By MyTVCebu Desk

A VICTORY in the “Land of Rising Sun” remains elusive for Boholano boxer Gerwin Asilo.

Asilo faltered again in his second fight in Japan, suffering a fifth-round knockout loss to hometown bet Keita Nakayama on Sunday, April 12, at the Sumiyoshi Ward Center in Osaka, Japan.

The 23-year-old prospect Nakayama floored the 25-year-old Asilo twice in the fifth round en route to securing the convincing win in the non-title bout that was scheduled for eight rounds.

The 5-foot-8 Nakayama, enjoying a two-inch height advantage over Asilo, first sent the PMI Bohol Boxing Stable fighter to the canvas with a well-timed left.

Asilo managed to beat the referee’s count and continued fighting.

Nakayama, however, delivered the finishing touches with a series of punches–the last one connecting to the head that downed Asilo again.

Asilo took time to stand up and was eventually counted out by the referee.

The hard-hitting Nakayama, thus, remained unbeaten, securing a fourth straight win, all by knockout.

Asilo, on the other hand, saw his three-fight winning streak come to an end and fell to 12W-2L, 5KOs.

Asilo’s pair of losses all happened in Japan. He first lost to Tenshinm Nasukawa in 2024 for the World Boxing Organization Asia-Pacific bantamweight title.(CCM)