Remarkably, the victory came on the 40th anniversary of his manager and Hall of Fame fighter Brian Mitchell's own title triumph.

Malajika, The Ring's No. 4-rated junior bantamweight, was inspired by successful sports people from his homeland.

"Coming all the way to Japan with my team, I always had one thing in mind. If my manager [former Ring, IBF and WBA 130-pound champion Mitchell] can do it, if the [South African] rugby players can [win the last two Rugby World Cups], I can do it," Malajika told The Ring.

"I said it in interviews, I don't know how but I'm definitely going to win. Me staying positive and with my team believing in me, I managed to pull a magic move in the last four rounds."

However, Malajika (18-2, 12 KOs) acknowledged he started proceedings at a slower pace before wanting to take Tsuboi into the fight's later stages.

"I just wanted to feel his power and how he handles someone taller than him," he said. "I saw he had no game plan, other than to walk straight forward into me. I could start doing my stuff, the moves we'd been working on."

After four rounds, Malajika was even on one scorecard and trailed 39-37 on the other two. After eight completed rounds, it was similarly all square on one card but he was 77-75 behind on two. The visitor needed a strong finish and managed just that, sweeping the final four rounds on two scorecards to prevail.

"I didn't know [I was behind] but my manager told me I had to win the last four rounds and that's when I picked up the pace," he explained.

Mitchell, who was among Malajika's corner, knew his fighter needed to be steered straight for a strong finish.

"After eight rounds, we discussed in the corner that the judges had him behind," said the Hall of Famer. "We either need a knockout or a big four rounds."

Following a brief wait came the moment Malajika had toiled countless hours for.

"When I heard, 'The Magic Man...' I was like there's only one magic man in this ring right now and that's me," he said. "I just flew up with excitement, everything came into my head. I wanted to cry, just be free after everything."

Malajika was besieged with congratulations messages from friends and family, while he celebrated with a phone call to his wife.

"I hadn't seen her for 12 days, we were talking and she was excitedly crying because she knew I worked all my life for this," he added.

Since returning home, Malajika has celebrated with those closest to him and will no doubt be considering his options after earning a piece of the 115-pound puzzle.