Isaac Hardman bashes Kazuki Kyohara into a ‘bloody mess’

Aussie boxing KO artist Isaac Hardman has returned to the winner’s circle, but it took a lot of effort has his Japanese rival had no quit.

Isaac Hardman did a lot of damage. Photo: Fox Sports

Isaac Hardman has bounced back to the winner’s circle with a comprehensive TKO win over Japan’s Kazuki Kyohara on Wednesday night.

But the Queenslander known as “The Headsplitter” had live up to his name, leaving his rival and the ring bloodied as the Japanese star just didn’t know when to quit.

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Hardman had lost two of his last three fights heading into the bout, including a second round TKO to Michael Zerafa and a controversial split decision loss to Rohan Murdock after stepping up to super middleweight.

He had also won the KO of the year for his savage blow on Beau Hartas last July.

The fight started with Kyohara rushing Hardman and swinging wildly but the Aussie quickly settled into his work.

Kyohara didn’t take a backwards step throughout the fight but Hardman went about his work, dropping bombs all over his rival.

Kyohara is one tough bugger. Photo: Fox Sports

The canvas showed the damage. Photo: Fox Sports

But Kyohara kept on his feet and continued to challenge Hardman.

At the end of the fourth round, there was plenty of blood pouring from Kyohara’s face, with Fox Sports’ Ben Damon commenting “there’s blood all over your notes” to co-commentator Jeff Fenech.

Damon added just before the start of the fifth that Hardman’s huge bombs had left Kyohara “a bloody mess”.

At the end of the sixth, with fresh bloody literally dripping off his face, Fenech said: “I’d like his corner to take a look at this poor young man.

“What we’re going to see in this next round is more blood, more swelling.”

Damon pointed to the state the ring was in with blood having dripped all over the canvas.

“They’ll need a mop,” he said. “There is blood absolutely everywhere in that ring and it all belongs to this man, Kazuki Kyohara, who is being bludgeoned at the moment.”

The doctor looked at Kyohara and allowed the fight to continue, despite the Japanese fighter spitting the blood out.

Kyohara came out strong in the sixth but the referee had no choice but to stop the fight as Hardman reasserted his dominance halfway through the round.

They breed them tough in Japan..Isaac Hardman absolutely battered him but he wouldn't go down, just insane 😮 pic.twitter.com/x8mFeorXzF

— Nonchaser (@LukeyT10222249) August 9, 2023

Boxing on Fox. Hardman v Kyohara. Japanese fighter absolutely pummelled. Brave as.

— Ken Swift (@freakWSA) August 9, 2023

Hardman taking his shorts off for the interview. Not sure I have seen a boxer do that before. What a sport.

— Sweet Science Lab (@SweetSciencePhD) August 9, 2023

Isaac Hardman looked untouched. Photo: Fox Sports

Hardman now moves to 14-2 and paid tribute to his rival.

“What’s he made of? Japanese steel?” Hardman said. “I’ve got knives at home that cost nearly $1000 — I bet he’s made from that stuff. Far out. Unreal.

“That’s a man right there. He’s got a backbone and he went out on his shield. It’s just a shame those Camel-toes (Joe Camilleri) and (New Zealand’s Andrei) Mikhailovich’s, friggin’ Alex Walters, soft as butter. And everyone else, they don’t want to have a crack, but he did.”

Hardman said he was happy to get some rounds out in the middleweight division.

Hardman again called out Camilleri, Mikhailovich and Walters.

“None of them are here, I have to go up and fight Rohan Murdock or Japan over here,” Hardman said.

“Maybe the boys can source another Japanese bloke or something, I dunno, whatever.”

Originally published as Isaac Hardman bashes Kazuki Kyohara into a ‘bloody mess’