Akira Yaegashi captured his third world title on Tuesday, beating IBF light flyweight champion Javier Mendoza by unanimous decision in a world title doubleheader at Ariake Colosseum.

The 32-year-old Yaegashi came out on top of a fiercely contested bout, following in the footsteps of Koki Kameda and Kazuto Ioka to become the third Japanese boxer to win three world titles.

"I thought about quitting at the end of last year but my family and the fans' warm cheers brought me back to this world title ring," said Yaegashi, who won the WBA minimumweight title in October 2011 and the WBC flyweight in April 2013 but was knocked out by Mexican Pedro Guevara in a WBC light flyweight title bout a year ago.