World Boxing Organization’s Asia-Pacific minimumweight champion Goki Kobayashi of Shinsei Boxing Gym, surviving a ninth-round onslaught, hammered out a 10-round unanimous decision over Joseph Sumabong of the Philippines and retained his title on June 23 in Osaka.

  It was the 25-year-old Kobayashi’s first successful defense of the title he captured by stopping Yuri Kanaya of Kaneko Boxing Gym in February.

  Fighting at EDION Arena’s annex, the 25-year-old Kobayashi exchanged fierce blows with his left-handed opponent from the opening bell by chiefly working Sumabong’s body and piled up points.

  In the ninth round, the 22-year-old challenger connected with a barrage of straight lefts to the head, momentarily staggering the champion.

  But Kobayashi hung tough, managed to survive the round and the 10^th round. Kobayashi bled profusely in the final round.

  With the victory, Kobayashi improved his record to eight wins, including five KOs, against a loss. The previously undefeated Sumabong, ranked fourth in the division, now has a 6-1 win-loss record with three KOs.