By Mark Vester

At Pacifico in Yokohama, Japan, WBC super bantamweight champion Toshiaki Nishioka stopped Genaro Garcia (37-7, 21KOs) of Mexico in the twelfth and final round to retain his title. Nishioka was the interim champion until Israel Vazquez was elevated to the status of "champion emeritus" by the WBC.

Nishioka unloaded with a several uppercuts in the final round to force the stoppage with 57-seconds into the round. A left uppercut in the fourth sent Garcia the floor, and Nishioka scored another knockdown in the ninth with a left hook.

"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. "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.

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