Shinsuke Yamanaka outpoints Liborio Solis in 10th world title defence

Shinsuke Yamanaka was knocked down twice before recovering to defend his world bantamweight title against Liborio Solis.

The Japanese champion (25-0-2-KO17) was fighting in front of adoring home fans in Kyoto in a bout refereed by Britain's Ian John-Lewis and eventually retained his belts with a comfortable 117-108 117-108 117-108 decision.

It was not all plain sailing for Yamanaka, though, even after he felled the Venezuelan (23-4-1-KO10) in the second to bring the crowd to their feet.

Solis was quick to regroup and there was a stunned silence around the Shimazu Arena during the following session, when Yamanaka was twice to sent to the canvas as the visitor threatened an upset.

It proved a false dawn for Solis as Yamanaka expertly recovered and reasserted himself over the middle rounds before rubber-stamping his superiority with a ninth-round knockdown. Adding the final three rounds to the bank, Yamanaka completed his 10th defence.

The 33-year-old, who has never boxed outside of Japan, won the vacant title back in November 2011 when he stopped Christian Esquivel in the penultimate round.