A decade ago “Kochulito” Montiel was crowned WBC champion

Ten years ago, Mexican Fernando “Kochulito” Montiel fulfilled his dream of becoming World Boxing Council champion, defeating Japan’s Hozumi Hasegawa by knockout in the fourth round, at the Nihon Budokan arena in Tokyo, Japan.

Against all the so called odds, Montiel knocked out left-hander Hasegawa to wrest the WBC Bantamweight World Crown from him.
Hozumi dominated the beginning of the fight with the precision and speed that so characterized him.
Hasegawa connected his left hand frequently and moved laterally, to avoid the punches of Montiel, who intrepidly pursued his rival.
In the fourth round, “Kochulito” took advantage of the fact that Hasegawa neglected his guard and with a powerful left hook to the jaw he hurt Hozumi, who backed away to the ropes and held on with his left arm to avoid falling to the canvas.
The Mexican attacked his rival connecting with combinations to the head leaving Hozumi unable to answer the onslaught, which forced the American referee Laurence Cole to stop the fight at 2:59 minutes. Thus a historic knockout of Montiel.
The judges’ cards had Hasegawa up in the third round, with Duane Ford scoring 30-27; and Steve Morrow and Daniel Van de Wiele 29-28.