Wanheng Menayothin retained his WBC minimumweight title after beating Japan's Tatsuya Fukuhara in Chachoengsao yesterday.
The Thai could not continue fighting after suffering a cut on his right eyebrow following a head clash.
Under the rules, when such an accident takes place, the scores of the previous rounds will be used to determine the outcome.
In yesterday's bout, Wanheng, 33, was declared the winner as the three judges scored it 79-73, 78-74, 78-74 in favour of the champion.
It was a rematch of the November 2017 bout in which Wanheng, whose real name is Chayaphon Moonsri, beat Fukuhara by a unanimous decision in Nakhon Ratchasima.
With yesterday's win, Wanheng extended his unbeaten run to 53 fights.
The champion, known in Thailand as Wanheng CPF, was the better fighter throughout the contest at a makeshift ring outside Chachoengsao's provincial hall.
Wanheng dedicated the victory as a birthday present for his manager Chaisit Kongkiatkong, who turned 68 yesterday.
"I tried not to counterpunch with him as he is taller," Wanheng said.
"From the last time we fought, he came up with a new game plan. After what happened, I'm glad I still won."
Wanheng's handlers said the champion could face South Africa's Simphiwe Khonco in a mandatory fight.
Aiba overhaul
The head of the Russian Boxing Federation has called for "big reform" of the International Association (Aiba) in a last-ditch bid to keep the organisation in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
The call came after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommended Aiba be barred from organising the Olympic boxing tournament because of governance issues.
"We must move from words to deeds...to re-elect the entire Aiba leadership," said Russian boxing head and Aiba executive committee member Umar Kremlev. "It is necessary to carry out the most serious reforms in Aiba as soon as possible," he said in a statement. bangkok post/afp
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