Junto Nakatani seized the World Boxing Organization super flyweight championship Saturday with a brutal 12th-round knockout of Australian Andrew Moloney in Las Vegas.
The 25-year-old Nakatani became a two-division world champion by winning the vacant super fly belt, having held the WBO flyweight crown before debuting at the heavier weight last November.
Clearly ahead on the cards after knocking down Moloney once in the second round and again in the 11th, the Japanese southpaw ended the fight with a crushing left hand at 2:42 of the 12th round at the MGM Grand Garden.
The blow put Moloney flat on his back as referee Mark Nelson immediately waved an end to the one-sided contest.
The Australian, who previously held the World Boxing Association super fly belt, was eventually able to regain his feet before being taken to hospital.
"I had the opportunity to fight on a great stage and got a good result," Nakatani said. "I could feel Moloney's motivation from the start and I'm glad I was eventually able to beat him convincingly.
"I want to fight a title unification bout next."
The fighter from central Japan's Mie Prefecture improved to 25 wins and no losses, with 19 of his victories via knockout.
Moloney, who was aiming to join his brother Jason as a world champion, dropped to 25-3 with 16 KOs.