The American native Rob Brant broke the predictions in Las Vegas by becoming the new regular Middleweight champion of the World Boxing Association by dethroning the favorited Ryota Murata in the Top Rank event at the Park Theater.

Brant won via scores of 119-109, 118-110 and 119-109 to take the black and gold title of the pioneer organization in the 160 pound class thanks to a complete exhibition in which he showed power, endurance, condition and technique before a brave fighter like Murata.

Murata was looking for a fight with Gennady Golovkin to start 2019, and now that opportunity could come for Brant, who improved his record to 24-1 with 16 knockouts, while Ryota was left with a record of 14-2 and 11 knockouts. This was the second defense of the Japanese native, who became champion by beating Hassan N’Dam in October of last year.