Ninth-ranked Japanese challenger Yutaka Niida won a surprising unanimous decision over champion Chana Porpaoin on Saturday to claim the World Boxing Association's minimumweight crown.
Niida, 22, taking his first shot at a world title, scored with his left hook just enough throughout a tactical 12-rounder at Pacifico Yokohama to edge ahead of the 35-year-old veteran from Thailand and take the title lost by Keitaro Hoshino in April.
Australian judge Derek Milham and the Philippines' Silvestre Abainza scored the fight 116-113 for Niida, while Moon Moo Hong of South Korea saw it 116-115, also for the young challenger from Yokohama.
Since turning pro in November 1996, Niida is unbeaten in 17 fights, winning 14 with seven knockouts and drawing three, and became the fourth Japanese boxer to hold the title in the WBA's lightest weight category.
"Everything went according to plan," Niida said of his strategy to keep a distance from the veteran.
"I think the spectators were probably getting impatient, but I don't think I could have won by boxing from in front."