Challenger Takahisa Masuda was defeated Friday in a sixth-round stoppage by WBC flyweight Thai interim champion Pongsaklek Wonjongkam.
The referee called an end to match at 1 minute, 6 seconds in the sixth round in Masuda's first world title bout after the 30-year-old was left hunkered by a flurry of punches.
Pongsaklek, who claimed the interim title in April, improved his slate to 73 wins, 39 by way of knockout, three defeats and one draw. Masuda slipped to 20-9-3 (5 KOs).
"I think I was able to calmly get control of the bout better than any time before. I was very relaxed as I fought," said Pongsaklek. "I think that Masuda lacks experience," he continued.
Masuda was sluggish from the opening bell and Pongsaklek sent him to the canvas with his hard left in the second round.
In the decisive round, Pongsaklek rained punches down on Masuda at will before stunning him with a crushing right uppercut, drawing an end to the fight.
The Thai southpaw won the WBC flyweight title in March 2001 and defended the crown 17 times before he was defeated by reigning WBC flyweight champion Daisuke Naito in July 2007.
"Pongsaklek's punches left me dazed and I don't remember anything. I can sort of remember my surroundings but I don't remember anything from the fight," said Masuda.