Bernaldez suffers first career defeat in Japan

ALA Boxing Gym stalwart Mark 'Machete' Bernaldez (15-1, 10KOs) tasted the bitterness of defeat for the first time in devastating fashion after he was stopped by Japanese Tyuyoshi Tameda (12-1, 10KOs) in the seventh round the other night at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

In a report by asianboxingscene.com, Tameda used his agressiveness in dealing with Bernaldez's style. The Cebuano fighter connected with some solid counter-punches in the second and third rounds, but the Japanese prospect kept on with fast-paced attacks that became a problem for Bernaldez.

The end came for Bernaldez in the seventh round after Tameda landed some a brutal one-two combination that sent the ALA pug down in the canvass. Bernaldez managed to get up but was immediately punished once again by the Japanese until the referee decided to halt the fight at the 2:21 mark of the round.

Aside from suffering his first loss, Bernaldez also saw his chance of fighting for a regional title this year crumbling. A win would have made Bernaldez a strong contender for the OPBF featherweight title currently held by Pinoy boxer Vinvin Rufino. (FREEMAN)