TOYONAKA, Osaka Pref. (Kyodo) Etsuko Tada won a unanimous decision over Thailand's Yani Kokietgym in the first defense of her WBA women's minimumweight title on Sunday.
Tada was put on the back foot early on by her seventh-ranked opponent but gradually took control, earning points with an effective combination of straight lefts and right hooks in the 10-rounder at Yomiuri Bunka Hall.
The 28-year-old improved her unbeaten slate to 6-0 with two knockouts. Yani dropped to 6-1.
"Obviously I am pleased to win but I was not able at all to reproduce what I have been working on in practice and there are things for me to reflect upon," said Tada.