JAKARTA, Indonesia - Indonesian boxer Yohannes Christian John retained his World Boxing Association featherweight title when he defeated Renan Acosta of Panama in a title bout Saturday.
John, who will turn 27 Thursday, slightly dominated the 12-round fight before home spectators at Jakarta's Sumatri Brojonegoro Stadium, and won a unanimous decision to hold the title he grabbed from Colombian Oscar Leon in December 2003.
The three ring judges scored the fight 119-108, 120-109 and 120-107 in favour of John, who praised his younger opponent as a tough fighter.
The 10th-ranked Acosta, 24, tried hard to match John but failed to take advantage of his longer reach. He was also unlucky in the eighth round with low blows that cost him two point cuts.
The victory extended John's record to 38-0-1 while Acosta slipped to 18-5-0.
