YOKOHAMA (Japan), Aug 21: Japanese challenger Koki Kameda defeated Wanmeechok Singwancha of Thailand by a technical knockout to become the new Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation flyweight champion on Sunday.

The 18-year-old Japanese, who floored Wanmeechok twice in the first round, sent him down for a third and fourth time 50 seconds into the third round when the referee stopped the bout.

It was the first international title for Kameda, who stretched his unbeaten record to eight wins, including seven KOs.

“Of course, I’m glad to win, because this is the first step towards becoming the world champion. I never thought I would lose, because I had trained really hard, harder than anybody else,” said Kameda.

“I should have knocked him out in the first round when I downed him twice. I must train harder to do that.”

It was the first defence of the title for 28-year-old Wanmeechok, who saw his record reduced to 12 wins, including seven KOs, against three defeat.—AFP