Former world title challenger Dave Apolinario suffered a stunning third-round knockout loss to unheralded Chinese boxer Longyi Hu on Tuesday night at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

What was meant to be part of Apolinario’s comeback trail following his knockout defeat in his world title bid last year turned into another major setback.

READ: Dave Apolinario knocked out by Mexican in world title fight

The 26-year-old from General Santos City was hoping to bounce back from his loss to Mexico’s Angel Ayala Lardizabal for the vacant IBF flyweight title. Instead, he absorbed the second defeat of his professional career, which now stands at 21-2 (14 KOs).

Hu, who previously lost to several Filipino boxers, flipped the script and improved his record to 9-2-2 (5 KOs) with the biggest win of his career so far.

The fight began in Apolinario’s favor, with the Filipino southpaw unloading heavy artillery in the opening round. Many in the Korakuen crowd expected an early stoppage as Apolinario overwhelmed Hu with powerful combinations, nearly sending the Chinese fighter to his knees.

But Hu weathered the early storm.

In the second round, the tide began to shift. Hu started landing clean punches of his own, forcing Apolinario into retreat. The momentum carried into the third round, where Hu capitalized on Apolinario’s vulnerability.