Suzuki too much for Pacio, wins by choke
Joshua Pacio of Team Lakay and Baguio City | Philstar.com File Photo
MACAU — Joshua Pacio simply had no answer to the grappling prowess of Hayato Suzuki.
The young Team Lakay ward tapped out at the 3:17th mark of opening frame, falling to his Japanese by way of rear-naked choke.
Pacio, formerly regarded as a top contender in the strawweight division, was looking for a victory en route to another title rematch against Yoshitaka Naito.
But the 31-year-old Suzuki was simply better. The grappling specialist out of Ibaraki prefecture provided a call-back to Pacio’s loss to Naito which also ended in submission.
Pacio’s loss brings the Philippines’ collective outing in Kings and Conquerors to 1-2, with Filipina Jomary Torres being that lone bright spot.
Torres pummeled the pretty-faced Rika Ishige in the opening round, giving the Japanese-Thai a swollen left cheek.
Erick Kelly, also of Baguio City, lasted for a good three rounds, but did not have enough gas to outlast Kotetsu Boku in the final frame. Referee Yuji Shimada called the fight off at the 3:28th mark of the culminating round.
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