Champion Hiroya Nojima of Yakushiji Boxing and Fitness Gym, scoring a knockdown in the third round, pounded out a 10-round unanimous decision over 10th-ranked Eiki Kani of T&T Boxing Gym to retain his World Boxing Organization Asia-Pacific middleweight title at Aioi Hall in Aichi Prefecture’s Kariya City on Dec. 11.

It was the 27-year-old Nojima’s first successful defense of the title he captured by stopping Yuki Nonaka of Atsumi Boxing Gym in July this year.

With the victory, Nojima improved his record to 11 wins, including five knockouts, against a loss, while the 21-year-old Kani fell to a 6-3-2 win-loss-draw tally with two KOs.