John retains WBA featherweight title
Monday, 20 August 2007
KOBE, Aug 19 (AFP): Indonesian champion Chris John Sunday defended his World Boxing Association featherweight title, defeating Zaiki Takemoto of Japan by a technical knockout at the end of the ninth round.
The 27-year-old champion dominated the bout from the start, hitting an array of straight rights, hooks and uppercuts to send the Japanese challenger to the floor in the sixth and eighth rounds.
Takemoto (28) could not hit land a jab and he suffered a cut on his left eyelid in the fourth round. His side stopped the fight at the start of the 10th round.
"When I saw Takemoto cut his eyelid, I was sure of the victory," said John. "I'm proud that I gained a good result again."
It was John's eighth defence of the title, stretching his unbeaten record to 40 wins, including 21 KOs, and one draw.
Takemoto, ranked sixth in the WBA, has 21 wins, including 12 KOs, seven defeats and a draw.
The 27-year-old champion dominated the bout from the start, hitting an array of straight rights, hooks and uppercuts to send the Japanese challenger to the floor in the sixth and eighth rounds.
Takemoto (28) could not hit land a jab and he suffered a cut on his left eyelid in the fourth round. His side stopped the fight at the start of the 10th round.
"When I saw Takemoto cut his eyelid, I was sure of the victory," said John. "I'm proud that I gained a good result again."
It was John's eighth defence of the title, stretching his unbeaten record to 40 wins, including 21 KOs, and one draw.
Takemoto, ranked sixth in the WBA, has 21 wins, including 12 KOs, seven defeats and a draw.