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Japanese champion Toshiaki Nishioka pulled off a technical knockout victory over Genaro Garcia of Mexico to defend the World Boxing Council (WBC) super bantamweight title.

Nishioka fired an array of left upper cuts before the referee stopped the fight 57 seconds into the final 12th round.

"I really wanted to score a knockout victory because of the so many fans who came to watch my fight although it was the beginning of the new year," said Nishioka, 32, with his daughter Kohime in his arms.

"Probably it was a frustrating fight for the spectators but I'm really happy that I was able to score a knockout in the end. I'm going to improve my boxing and show them more exciting fight," he added.

Nishioka unleashed a left upper cut to send Garcia onto the floor in the fourth round, and again floored the Mexican challenger in the ninth round with his left hook to the face.

Nishioka led 40-35, 40-35, 39-36 after four rounds and was ahead 80-72, 79-72, 78-73 after eight rounds.

Nishioka became the first Japanese boxer to defend the WBC super bantamweight title, improving his record to 33 wins, including 20 KOs, against four defeats and three draws.

Garcia, 31 and ranked seventh in the WBC, saw his record reduced to 37 wins, including 21 KOs, against seven defeats.

AFP