Kokietgym defeats Nashiro to retain WBA super flyweight title

Associated Press

9/1/2012 8:58:07 AM

OSAKA, Japan -- Tepparith Kokietgym of Thailand defeated Japan's Nobuo Nashiro on Saturday to retain his WBA super flyweight title.

The 23-year-old Thai dominated the early rounds and survived a late surge by the challenger to win in his third defence of the title. Two of the three judges scored the bout in favour of Kokietgym, while a third called it a draw.

Kokietgym improved to 21-2-0 with 11 knockouts.

Nashiro dropped to 18-5-1 with 12 KOs. The 30-year-old challenger said before the bout that he would retire if he lost.