Kaovichit KOs Sakata to win belt

Dec 31, 2008 - 12:16 PM HIROSHIMA, Japan (Ticker) -- Denkaosan Kaovichit knocked out Takefumi Sakata late in the second round, winning the WBA flyweight title at the Sun Plaza Hall on Wednesday.

Kaovichit (46-1-1, 20 KOs) landed a big right hand near the end of the round, sending Sakata down to the canvas. The Japanese fighter tried to get to his feet but could not beat referee Roberto Ramirez's count, ending the fight at 2:55 of the second.

The bout was a rematch of a title fight in November, 2007, which was scored a draw in Saitama, Japan.

The 32-year-old Kaovichit, who has fought outside of his native Thailand twice in his career, improved to 26-0-1 in his last 27 bouts. It is his first career title.

Sakata (33-5-2) had made four defenses of the belt prior to the loss.