TOKYO, March 4: Japan’s Yutaka Niida secured a unanimous points decision over Ronald Barrera of Colombia to defend his World Boxing Association (WBA) minimumweight title on Saturday.
It was his fourth defence of the title he wrested from Noel Arambulet of Venezuela in July 2004.
Niida previously won the title by beating Chana Porpaoin of Thailand in August 2001 but failed to defend it on that occasion. The 27-year-old champion stretched his record to 20 wins, including eight KOs, against one defeat and three draws.
The 21-year-old Barrera, ranked eighth in the WBA, saw his record reduced to 14 wins, including eight KOs, against two defeats and a draw.—AFP