Caboolture-born Issac “Headsplitter” Hardman fought his way back into title contention with a dominant performance in Sydney, stopping Japan’s Kazuki Kyohara in the sixth round.
After two defeats in his last three fights, the 27-year-old Hardman added another win to his now 14-2-0 record. Twelve of his 14 victories came via knockout.
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Issac Hardman Defeats Kazuki Kyohara
A big right hand from Hardman in the opening round set the tone for the fight. It looked like an early night for Hardman but Kyohara refused to go down.
After stinging Kyohara in the opening round, Hardman dominated the action. He continued to land right uppercuts, leaving the Japanese fighter a bloody mess by the fourth round. Despite the punishment, Kyohara was never knocked down, forcing the referee to step in and stop the fight in the sixth round.
Hardman praised his opponent’s resilience. “This is a man. He’s tough as nails.
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The Headsplitter Back on Top
The win ends a difficult run for Hardman, who lost an Australian title fight to Michael Zerafa last year and a split decision defeat to Rohan Murdoch in March.
Hardman will now look to build on this win and earn another shot at the big time. His devastating performance put the division on notice: the Headsplitter is back.
Published 12 August 2023
Featured Image Photo Credit: Facebook/Issac ‘Headsplitter’ Hardman
