Thai champion Pongsaklek Singwangcha knocked out 12th-ranked challenger Daisuke Naito of Japan midway through the first round Friday to retain his World Boxing Council (WBC) flyweight championship belt.
Pongsaklek caught Naito with a powerful right that sent the challenger to the canvas only 80 seconds into the scheduled 12-round fight. Naito never regained his feet as the end came at 1 minute, 34 seconds of the first round.
It was the fourth successful title defense for Pongsaklek, who improved his record to 44 wins, including 26 by knockout, against a pair of losses.
Naito suffered the first loss of his pro career after winning 19 fights, including 14 by knockout, and seeing a pair end in draws.