OSAKA, Japan: Japan’s Ryo Miyazaki stopped Mexican challenger Carlos Velarde by technical knockout to retain his World Boxing Association minimumweight title in Osaka yesterday.
The scheduled 12-round contest ended two minutes and 22 seconds into the fifth round when the 24-year-old Japanese floored the No.7 WBA contender with a lightning counter left hook to the face after a close fight.
American referee Raul Caiz Jr. immediately stopped the fight.
It was Miyazaki’s first defence of the title he won by beating Pornsawan Porpramook of Thailand by split decision in Osaka last December.
“I fought the way I practised. I am really glad to produce such a result,” said Miyazaki, who tipped the scale at the limit of 47.6kg.
“It felt quite different to defend the title than to fight as a challenger. I got so hot.”
He extended his professional record to 19 wins, 11 of them by knockout.
It was 22-year-old Velarde’s third defeat against 22 wins. AFP
