The 32-year-old Cazares dominated Thursday’s 12-round bout at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium in the third defense of the title he won in May.

Cazares improved to 34-6-2 with 24 knockouts while the 25-year-old Hisataka dropped to 19-9-1 with 8 KOs.

The fight generated a spark of interest in the Philippines because the winner of the bout was touted to be the next foe of rising Filipino star Drian “Golden Fists” Francisco.

Francisco was being groomed as a possible opponent for Cazares if both fighters hurdled their respective opponents.
Francisco is coming off a scintillating 10th-round knockout of Duangpetch Kokietgym for the interim WBA crown.

The victory gave rise to the possibility of fighting in the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Shane Mosley bout in May next year.

“It will be a tremendous honor if I can fight in the undercard of the Pacquiao-Mosley bout. It will be a dream come true for me,” said Francisco.

By crushing the favored Kokietgym, Francisco, of Touch Gloves Boxing Gym, became the mandatory challenger for the WBA crown.

Francisco (20-0-1, 16 KOs), had earlier said it did not matter who he’d face as long as he got the shot to formalize his hold of the WBA crown.

“No problem, I’m ready to fight Cazares or Hisataka,” said Francisco, who trains under Benny de la Peña.

Phil. Daily Inquirer