TOKYO: Japan’s Takashi Uchiyama pulled off a technical knockout victory over Bryan Vasquez of Costa Rica to win a unification bout in the World Boxing Association (WBA) super-featherweight title on Monday.

Uchiyama piled up the points by pummelling Vasquez with lefts and rights to the stomach, and finished off the fight three minutes into the eighth round, unloading punch after punch.

“My opponent had never lost a match before and never suffered a knock down, so I really wanted to win the match in a good style,” said Uchiyama, 33.

“This champion’s belt is just a formality. My top priority is to become stronger,” he added.

It was Uchiyama’s sixth defense of the title, which he wrested from Juan Carlos Salgado of Mexico in January 2010, maintaining his unbeaten record at 19 wins, including 16 KOs and one draw.

The 25-year-old Vasquez now has 29 wins, including 15 KOs and one defeat.