Newz Forum: BOXING: Parra defends WBA flyweight title

TOKYO (AP) - Champion Lorenzo Parra of Venezuela defeated Japan's Takefumi Sakata on Friday to retain his WBA flyweight title.

Parra survived a scare in the sixth round when the Japanese challenger pummeled the champion with a flurry of punches at Ariake Coliseum.

Parra fought back to open a cut on the face of the challenger, and got stronger as the fight went on.

Parra outscored Sakata 117-111 and 115-113. One of the judges had the two boxers tied 114-114 after the scheduled 12 rounds.

With the victory, the 25-year-old Parra improved to 23-0-0 with 17 knockouts. Sakata dropped to 22-2, including nine KOs and a draw.