Japan's Naotaka Hozumi knocked out Kwang Jin Choi of South Korea in the eighth round of their scheduled 12-round bout to defend his Orient-Pacific Boxing Federation middleweight title here Tuesday.
The knockout came 1 minute, 6 seconds into the eighth round when Hozumi landed a series of punches against Choi's body.
It was Hozumi's first defense of the title he won from Kevin Palmer of the United States, fighting in Japan.
Hozumi weighed in at 72.5 kg (159.5 pounds), Choi at 71.8 kg (158 pounds).