On Saturday, Masamichi Yabuki impressively stopped Angel Ayala in the 12th round to become the IBF flyweight titleholder.

Yabuki, who entered the contest as the No. 1 ranked junior flyweight, moved up four-pounds having previously held WBC and IBF titles at 108-pounds.

The big-punching Japanese fighter got off to an excellent start against the previously unbeaten Mexican, though had to become more cerebral as the contest progressed.

"At the beginning it started as expected on the game plan," Yabuki (18-4, 17 knockouts) told The Ring of knockdowns he scored in the first and second round against the defending champion.

"But since the headbutt in the third round, it changed. I was being careful and focused more. That is one of the reasons that I was able to get the points."

The 32-year-old suffered a badly cut cheek one in the third round that later required 8 stitches.

"Ayala had a very strong heart and one mistake could have changed the whole game," he said acknowledging Ayala's spirited effort. "I really felt he was undisputed world champion."

It was a proud moment in Yabuki's career that has now seen him win three world titles.

"I am happy that I am the first in Japan to be two-weight division champion at the same time," he said. But I will fight at flyweight from now on. And return my junior flyweight."

While he knows in which weight class his future lies, he not sure who he will be fighting.

"None really that comes in my mind," he said. "But I think I have to fight mandatory [Felix Alvarado] so I will leave it to the promoter."