The grass-roots boxing champion Sho Kimura (17-2-2, 10 KOs) of Japan handed his WBO flyweight belt to fellow boxer Kosei Tanaka (12-0-0, 7 KOs) at the Takeda Teva Ocean Arena, Nagoya, on Monday.

Even though the championship isn't widely recognized by fans in Japan or around the world, Kimura gained fame in China after grabbing the title from Zou Shiming 14 months ago, even getting sponsorship from China's most expensive white alcohol brand in his third defending bout.

For the past two successful 12-rounders, Kimura beat Toshiyuki Igarashi in round 9 by TKO in December last year, and continued to deny Froilan Saludar's challenge in round 6 by KO on July 27. However, just two months later, the 29-year-old former beer-deliveryman had to abdicate the champion's place to the talented 22-year-old foe.

For Tanaka, this is his third world title in the total 12 professional bouts following minimumweight and light flyweight champions' belts. That achievement tied with Ukraine's Vasyl Lomachenko's record for the fewest number of fights to become a three-division champion.

Both of the attacking-style boxers got swollen faces after the conclusion of 12 fierce rounds, while Kimura was sustained greater injuries with his volcano-like right eye. That's because for much of the fight, Tanaka had quicker evasions and more accurate jabs.

Finally, the three judges doled out 116-112, 115-114, 114-114 in Tanaka's favor.

Kimura said to Sina Sports, "Tanaka punched my right eye heavily in round 2, and after round 7, I could see nothing, and in round 11, my right hand had some problems, and even touched him. Nothing happened."

"I do not want to fight any more," he said, and was about to elaborate on his willingness to retire but was interrupted immediately by the boss of his club.

"Maybe someday I'll be back," the fighter said to himself. "Perhaps I've already been 'burned out'."

(Top image via VCG Photo)