LAS VEGAS (Nevada), April 13: Derrick Gainer retained his World Boxing Association featherweight title on Saturday, dropping Colombian Oscar Leon twice to post a split 12-round decision.

Gainer sent Leon to the canvas in the eighth and again with a right in the 10th as he overcame a fierce start by the challenger.

Two judges gave the fight to Gainer, 117-110 and 114-112, while the third made it 114-112 to Leon.

Gainer was making his second defence of the title he earned on Sept 9, 2000, when he knocked out Freddie Norwood in New Orleans.—AFP