Kal Yafai has successfully defended his WBA super-flyweight title for a fifth time with a unanimous decision win over Norbelto Jimenez.
The 30-year-old admitted before the bout he would need to impress in Rhode Island to enhance his chances of securing a "massive fight", and again demonstrated his potential to fight some of the division's biggest names.
The 12-round fight was scored at 119-107, 118-108, 117-109 in favour of Yafai, who improved to 26-0 (15KOs) with the victory.
Yafai busily got to work on his 28-year-old mandatory opponent and looked comfortable through the opening rounds, frustrating Dominican Republic's Jimenez with a number of left hands to the body.
Jimenez, previously unbeaten in his last 30 fights, winning his last nine, was docked a point in the fourth round for excessive holding but did manage to rally in the fifth after an accidental head clash drew blood from Yafai's forehead.
The second-time title challenger was hurt in the eighth after receiving two low body blows from Yafai and again found himself on the canvas in the 12th as Yafai eventually wore down his challenger.
Speaking from the ring, the Birmingham boxer told DAZN he had perforated both of his eardrums in the fight but maintained he would be targeting big fights.
"I want the likes of (Juan Francisco) Estrada (current world champion), (Srisaket Sor) Rungvisai (former champion), Chocolatito (Roman Gonzalez, former four-division champion).
"Those kinds of guys, they have to be next."
PA
