Yamanaka retains belt with fifth straight KO

 Japan's Shinsuke Yamanaka floored Belgian challengerStephane Jamoye four times with his killer left hand Wednesday to retain his WorldBoxing Council bantamweight title with a fifth straightknockoutwin.Panamanian referee Hector Afu stopped the fight 11 seconds into the ninth roundwhen southpaw Yamanaka's straight left to the body sent Jamoye to the canvas.It was Yamanaka's sixth defence of the 53.5-kilogramme-class title which he won bybeating Mexico's Christian Esquivel with a technical knockout in Tokyo in November2011.His unscathed professional record improved to 21 wins, 16 of them inside thedistance, and two draws. He has triumphed in five title bouts in a row by a knockoutor technical knockout.It was the fifth loss for European bantamweight champion Jamoye, the number-three WBC contender, who has 25 wins to his name, 15 of them by knockout."It was great that I could finish the fight with a knockout," said Yamanaka, 31. "Irelied too much on my left hand to throw combinations." "I want to fight abroad and fight in a bout to unify world titles (from differentorganisations)."Right-handed Jamoye, 24, said Yamanaka's punches were "very strong"."I knew it would be a tough fight. I am still young and I will think about (anotherworld challenge) after developing my skills further," the Belgian said.Yamanaka dominated throughout against Jamoye, who was seeking to become thefirst Belgian world boxing champion in his first shot at a world title.Yamanaka's first knockdown of the night came in the second round when hisstraight left caught the Belgian's face.In the eighth round, the champion floored Jamoye with a straight left to the bodyand again with a blow to the face.The Belgian managed to tough it out but the end finally came only seconds into theninth round when Yamanaka's left body blow sent Jamoye down for the fourth timeat the Osaka Castle Hall in the western city Source: AFP