Takashi Uchiyama had his first bout of 2014 on the very final day of the year. In fact, it was his first fight in exactly a year, since last New Year's Eve.

That long layoff didn't bother the 35-year-old champion, however.

Uchiyama defended his WBA super featherweight belt for the ninth time with a technical knockout victory over Israel Perez on Wednesday night at Ota City General Gymnasium.