MONTERREY, Mexico (AP) -World super flyweight champion Cristian Mijares beat Thai challenger Chatchai Sasakul on a third-round technical knockout to retain his WBC and WBA titles Saturday night.
Victory was never in doubt for the 26-year-old Mexican, who proved too quick, too strong and too clever for the veteran Sasakul from the opening bell.
A smiling Mijares entered the ring to enthusiastic support from the home crowd, dressed in black and looking relaxed and confident after Sasakul's low-key entrance.
The champion took control from the first round, using his greater reach to rattle Sasakul with an uppercut left and a strong right, while remaining agile enough to keep out of range of the Thai's combinations.
Sasakul was in deep trouble by the end of the second round. Tough body shots from Mijares set up a stinging left that dropped Sasakul as the bell sounded. Sasakul jumped up immediately but stumbled round the ring as referee George Gibson tried to get him back to his corner.
It took Mijares 1:25 of the third round to finish off Sasakul. A right jab followed by a punishing left gave Gibson no choice but to stop the fight.
The win was the eighth defense of Mijares' WBC belt and the first of his WBA crown.
