The Mizuki Hiruta vs. Carla Merino round-by-round updates are here. They provide real-time coverage and live scoring of the upcoming women's super flyweight championship bout. The matchup itself has flown largely under the radar, as neither Mizuki nor Merino are household names.
Nevertheless, both women will be determined to steal the show, with Mizuki stepping in as the reigning WBO women's super flyweight champion, with an undefeated 7-0 record, of which just two of her wins have come via TKO or knockout.
Meanwhile, Merino is far more experienced at 16-2, and will be eager to good on her first true world championship opportunity. However, much like her foe, she lacks punching power, having just four stoppages in 16 wins. Moreover, she is a betting underdog.
DraftKings Sportsbook lists her as a +450 underdog, while Mizuki is a -700 favorite, expected to retain her title with relative ease. The card starts at 8:00 PM E.T. (Eastern Time) / 5:00 PM P.T. (Pacific Time), while Mizuki and Merino are estimated to make their ringwalks at around 10:00 PM E.T. / 7:00 PM P.T.
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
Follow Sportskeeda for play-by-play analysis of the women's super flyweight championship matchup.
Mizuki Hiruta vs. Carla Merino
Round 1: Mizuki comes out jabbing, as does Merino. Both women are circling around each other, clearly aware of each other's pressure game. More jabs land for Mizuki, as Merino seems a bit cagier. A swing-and-a-miss from Merino after a one-two. Not much action yet.
A combination from Merino hits nothing but air, but Mizuki fires back with a jab. This is a difficult round to score, but Merino is applying more pressure. Merino tries to close the distance, but Mizuki her with a jab.
Our Score: 10-9 Mizuki
Round 2: A similar start to round one with jabs from both women. Merino tries to swing, but fails to clean. She finally lands a left hook, adding a body shot as a follow-up. The two women trade jabs. A one-two lands from Mizuki, but Merino has been busier.
Left hook lands for Merino. This was a better round for Merino, who may have stolen it.
Our Score: 10-9 Merino, 19-19 overall
Round 3: Jabs from both women to start the round off. Mizuki is moving well and using her angles, but no one is really doing anything to win rounds clearly. The two women flurry, but again, it's not clear who got the better of the exchange. Another flurry happens with similar results.
Mizuki is on the front foot now, landing a one-two, followed by a check hook as she traps Merino against the ropes. This is more control, and the clearest round for the champion.
Our Score: 10-9 Mizuki, 29-28 Mizuki overall
Round 4: Merino tries to get a hot start, but she gets stung by Mizuki's jab. The champion is back on the front foot, backing Merino up, landing a good left straight. Two check hooks land for Mizuki. A good body shot lands for Merino, but she's on the ropes, where she eats a slick combination from Mizuki.
Mizuki is landing more, but the punching power just isn't there. One-two for Mizuki. She bounces out of range with a hot-step, before darting back in, evading a jab and landing over the top.
Our Score: 10-9 Mizuki, 39-37 Mizuki overall
Round 5: A left hand from Mizuki lands as the first clean punch of the round. Merino just can't seem to close the distance and get inside. Every time she tries, she either over-extends or gets caught by a check hook. She finally lands a good left hook, but eats a combination for her troubles.
This is more of a defensive masterclass from Mizuki, who is making Merino look bad for missing so uch.
Our Score: 10-9 Mizuki, 49-46 Mizuki overall
Round 6: Mizuki lands a jab. However, Merino lands one in return, followed by a combination. Mizuki tries to get a combination of her own going, but it doesn't land clean. A leaping left thook lands for Merino, but she can't keep Mizuki off of her. The champion is caught off-balance, but it's no knockdown.
A jab lands for Mizuki, followed by a left hand.
Our Score: 10-9 Merino, 58-56 Mizuki overall
Round 7: It's still a fairly tentative fight, though Mizuki lands a left hand at the end of a combination. Merino leaps in with a good right hand, followed by a left hook to the body. Jabs from Mizuki, who eats a body shot from Merino. Mizuki pressures her to the corner, trapping her there with combinations.
Merino escapes and they're back in the center. A slick one-two lands for Mizuki.
Our Score: 10-9 Mizuki, 68-65 Mizuki overall
Round 8: Mizuki starts with a one-two. She lands a follow-up double jab, pressuring Merino toward the ropes. Every time Merino tries to lunge into range, Mizuki hops just out of range, before gliding back in with a combination. She's catching Merino with some good checks here and there.
There is almost certainly not going to be a stoppage in this fight, but it's a positional chess match. More check hooks and counters from Mizuki, who backs Merino to the ropes and unloads with a combination.
Our Score: 10-9 Mizuki, 78-74 Mizuki overall
Round 9: Merino has no chance of winning this via decision. She'll have to go for broke and hope she can get a stoppage, because Mizuki is outboxing her. The champion catches Merino with a good left hand, leading to a brief clinch. The referee separates them, and they resume.
A right hook lands for Merino, but Mizuki eats it and backs her up to the ropes, forcing her to cover up as the champion strings together a combination. More combinations from Mizuki, who has her trapped in the corner. Merino clinches to smother the offense, forcing a break from the referee.
Our Score: 10-9 Mizuki, 88-83 Mizuki overall
Round 10: Merino just missees with a right cross. Mizuki lands a few jabs, followed by a good right hand. Merino returns fire with a left hand, but it's too little too late. They trade and clinch, prompting the referee to separate them. A combination lands for both women.
Mizuki traps her against the ropes, as she has throughout the fight. She lands a pitter-patter combination, forcing Merino to clinch. The referee separates them, and Mizuki ends the fight with a left hand.
Our Score: 10-9 Mizuki, 98-92 Mizuki overall
Official Result
Mizuki Hiruta def. Carla Merino via unanimous decision (98-82, 99-91, 98-92)