A pair of round two knockdowns and an unanswered sequence of punches with Batista backed up against the ropes was enough for the referee to step in, stopping the previously unbeaten Dominican from further punishment.

Upgraded to a WBA title eliminator on short notice, Tsutsumi (9-0, 6 KOs) spoke well in the build-up about wanting to make up for lost time and eventually position himself in contention for a world title shot again. 11 months after his last appearance and eight since undergoing surgery on an orbital floor fracture, there was no room for pleasantries against a dangerous but relatively unknown 29-year-old who knew of the rewards which lay ahead.

In the final minute of round one, The Ring's No. 8 junior lightweight landed several pull counter shots which forced Batista (14-1, 10 KOs) to retreat and the visitor knew his success depended on engaging at close-range.

So into the fire he went, probing behind the jab before connecting flush with an overhand right which froze the favorite on the spot, before landing three more shots on the bell.

Dramatic moment over, Batista's promising moment only emboldened a bigger Tsutsumi response.

Despite digging downstairs with a series of punches, the 29-year-old walked into a counter left hand which left him stumbling onto the canvas seconds into the second frame. The pair exchanged hooks in the pocket, Tsutsumi showing his physical strength to shrug him off before an equilibrium-shaking shot prompted another knockdown.

Batista's attempts to hold, survive and hang on were short-lived as the punch variety and spite of punches to head and body would not relent. Tsutsumi certainly got the crowd excited on his return to action, but doesn't need telling the importance of more defensive discipline as he steps through the levels in a busy 130-pound division.

"It wasn't the fight I had anticipated, so I feel a little unsatisfied," he said in his post-fight interview, per Yahoo Japan.

"It was my own lack of attention. For a moment I was distracted, also a lesson learned ... even after the gong sounds, you shouldn't let your guard down until the referee steps in.

"I had anticipated he would see this as an opportunity and come at me from the beginning of the second round. I was quite calm, when it's time to finish, you have to finish ... so that my opponent wouldn't gain momentum."

WBA champion Anthony Cacace (25-1, 9 KOs) was last month ordered to make his first title defense against mandatory challenger Elnur Samedov (22-1, 11 KOs), who holds the 130-pound interim strap. Tsutsumi is the sanctioning body's No. 4 contender, though will likely receive a rankings boost at the end of the month.