Takashi Uchiyama vs Bryan 'Tiquito' Vasquez, WBA World Super Featherweight Title, December 31, 2012

Takashi Uchiyama scored his second consecutive New Year's Eve knockout, this time drilling Costa Rica's Bryan Vasquez in eight rounds Monday evening in Tokyo. The battle proved to be a stiffer test than expected for Uchiyama, regarded by many as the best 130 lb. fighter in the world. The case was made as far back as a year ago, but gained even stronger ground after unbeaten American rising star Adrien Broner abandoned the division earlier in the year. (more)