By Jose Luis Camarillo

Mexico's Javier "Cobra" Mendoza (24-3-1, 19KOs) was unable to solve the puzzle of Japanese contender Akira Yaegashi (23-5, 12KOs), who picked up a unanimous decision victory on Wednesday in Tokyo, and walked off with Mendoza's IBF junior flyweight title. It was the third divisional belt for Yaegashi.

It was a hard fight for Mendoza, who was caught off-guard by some of the abilities of Yaegashi, who previously captured titles at minimumweight and flyweight.

The fight victory saw Yaegashi greeted as a hero as the packed arena encouraged him with chants of "kira, Akira."

Mendoza's promoter, former four division world champion Erik Morales, said he has secured a rematch, but did not specify when that rematch would happen.

Morales said - "Mendoza got in some good body shots, and did well throughout the course of the fight, but Yaegashi was in good condition, he was very fast, and his constant movement really troubled Javier. It was a great fight between two warriors."

Mendoza was very pleased with his performance and praised the new champion.

"I left everything in the fight, I did not leave anything. I'm satisfied because there is nothing I think I didn't hold anything back in the fight, it was all or nothing. Yaegashi is very smart with his hand right and throws when you least expect. I'm happy because I gave Japan a great fight. He was very fast legs, he is a warrior, and the two of us delivered," Mendoza said.