Noynay hands Shimizu first loss, keeps crown

LOS ANGELES, USA – Pitted against a prospective Japanese world champion, Filipino Joe Noynay was tagged the underdog in his defense of the WBO Asia Pacific super featherweight crown Friday night, July 12, at Edion Arena in Osaka.

But Noynay won’t be cowed by Satoshi Shimizu’s fearsome reputation of knocking out his first 8 opponents apart from being a 2012 London Olympic bronze medalist.

Noynay, pride of Bogo, Cebu, pulled off a major shocker when he dominated the Japanese from the opening bell and eventually won by 6th round technical knockout.

With Shimizu’s right eye almost swollen shut and Noynay continuing to pound his head and rib cage, the resident of Yokohama, Kanagawa was forced to raise his left hand in surrender, 2:18 into the 6th of the scheduled 12-rounder.

The 23-year-old Noynay, a southpaw, raised his record to 18-2-1, only 7 by knockout, and put himself in line for the WBO 130-pound world title being held by American Jamel Herring.

Both Noynay, who stands 5-foot-8, and the 5-10 ½ Shimizu weighed in at 129.75 pounds.

Despite his height and reach disadvantage, Noynay, dubbed the Jaw Breaker, surprised Shimizu with sharp jabs and decked him twice in the first round.

His confidence boosted, Noynay pressed on from the 2nd to the 6th round, switching head and body attacks which the 33-year-old Shimizu was unable to repel.

Noynay belongs to the Elorde stable and is being trained by Artcher Villamor. – Rappler.com