Kazuto Ioka scored a decisive right to the body of Thai challenger Wisanu Kokietgym in the ninth round to successfully defend the WBA light flyweight title for the first time in a world doubleheader on Wednesday night.
Referee Mark Nelson ended the bout at 2 minutes, 51 seconds of the ninth round after Ioka sent the second-ranked Thai boxer to the canvas with a hard right at Bodymaker Colosseum.
Ioka improved to 12-0 with eight KOs. Wisanu slipped to 43-9 (11 KOs) with two draws.