TOKYO — Japan’s Shinsuke Yamanaka beat Mexico’s Alberto Guevara with a knockout in the ninth round Sunday to defend his WBC bantamweight crown.
Yamanaka sent Guevara to the canvas with a left after 25 seconds of the ninth round at Ryogoku Kokugikan, forcing referee Hector Afu of Panama to stop the fight.
Yamanaka, who has won four consecutive bouts by knockout since his second title defense in November last year, improved to 20-0 with two draws and 15 knockouts. Guevara dropped to 18-2, including six KOs.
All three judges had scored the bout 79-71 in favor Yamanaka through the eighth round.
Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press
