Alexander Munoz vs Eiji Kojima II

On January 3, 2004, the Central Gym in Osaka, Japan, hosted the rematch between Venezuela's undefeated Alexander Muñoz and Japan's Eiji Kojima for the WBA World Super-Flyweight Title. Muñoz, entering the ring with an immaculate record of 24 wins and no losses, was making the third defence of the title he had claimed in March 2002 against Celes Kobayashi. With only ten professional bouts under his belt, Kojima was attempting to avenge a previous second-round knockout loss to Muñoz that occurred 18 months earlier.

From the opening bell, the champion asserted his dominance. Muñoz's heavy hands and relentless pursuit immediately put Kojima on the defensive. The Japanese challenger, fighting in front of his home crowd, attempted to stay mobile and box from the outside, but Muñoz's pressure and precision punching made escape nearly impossible. By the fifth round, the disparity in power became evident as Muñoz sent Kojima to the canvas for the first time in the fight. Kojima beat the count but returned to his corner, visibly shaken.

The middle rounds followed a similar pattern. Muñoz's aggressive offence systematically broke Kojima down, with each passing minute further diminishing the challenger's confidence. Kojima displayed admirable courage, absorbing significant punishment while occasionally trying to rally with flurries of punches, but his shots lacked the force to deter the Venezuelan champion. The ninth round saw Kojima hit the canvas again, this time from a thunderous right hand. Although he managed to rise before the count of ten, his body language suggested a fighter running on pure determination rather than belief.

In the tenth round, Muñoz closed the show with clinical brutality. After trapping Kojima along the ropes, the champion unleashed a final assault that sent the challenger crashing to the canvas for the fifth and final time. Referee Roberto Ramirez Sr., recognizing Kojima's battered condition, stepped in and waved off the contest at 3:03 of the round. The official scorecards up to that point painted a clear picture of the fight's one-sided nature: Ruben M. Garcia had it 89-80, Hector Hernandez Vilchis scored it 89-81, and Wan Soo Yuh tallied 87-82—all in favour of Muñoz.

This victory marked Muñoz's third successful WBA World Super-Flyweight Title defence, reinforcing his reputation as one of the most devastating punchers in the division. Kojima's bravery was undeniable, but his inability to neutralize Muñoz's power proved decisive. The rematch ended with a sense of finality, leaving little doubt about the gulf in class between the two fighters.