Kazuto Takesako W10 Mark Dickinson ... The first round of the eight-man Prizefighter elimination tournament took place in Osaka, Japan over the weekend, with four fighters taking a stride closer to a $1 million winners’ prize.  Kieron Conway, Aaron McKenna, Kazuto Takesako and Riku Kunimoto all secured their place in the semi-finals with victories at the Yamato Arena as the middleweight competition got underway, live on DAZN. Japan’s Takesako (17-2-1, 15 KOs) defeated Britain’s Mark Dickinson (6-1, 2 KOs) in the best fight of the four quarter-final bouts. In a thrilling ten-round encounter, it was Takesako who had his hand raised with a unanimous points victory as the judges scored the hard-fought bout 96-94, 97-93 and 98-92.

 

ADDITIONAL RESULTS

 

Takesako can now look forward to a rematch with countryman Riku Kunimoto, who a scored a win over Eiki Kani in front of his home fans in Osaka by stopping his compatriot in the fifth round.

 

Northampton puncher Kieron Conway (21-3-1, 6 KOs), meanwhile, opened the tournament with a stoppage of his own over China’s Ainiwaer Yilixiati (19-2-0, 14 KOs) when the referee stepped in to halt the proceedings in the seventh.

 

Conway later went face-to-face in the ring with his next opponent Aaron McKenna, as the undefeated Northern Irishman (19-0,10 KOs) silenced American rival Jeovanny Estela (14-1, 5 KOs) with just 58 seconds left on the clock in the final round to earn his share of the $100,000 knockout bonus spoils. 

 

Matchroom Boxing CEO Frank Smith saluted the winning fighters as he hailed the return of the popular series. “It has been a special week here in Japan and tonight showed us why we’re in for a tremendous tournament,” said Smith. “With three stoppages, the fighters are already reaping the Prizefighter rewards with a share of the knockout bonus and four of them are now another step closer to taking home the $1m winners’ [prize].Young Mark Dickinson rolled the dice and he’ll no doubt come again after his defeat. But for the likes of Kieron Conway,  Aaron McKenna, Kazuto Takesako and Riku Kunimoto everything is up for grabs. We are incredibly grateful to our partners Rakuten Ticket Inc., and NSN (Never Say Never) as we now look ahead to the semi-finals.”