Tomlinson retains IBO title in shortened fight

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -Australia's Will Tomlinson successfully defended his IBO super featherweight title Friday after a power failure forced an early end to his fight with Daniel Ruiz of Mexico.

The 25-year-old Tomlinson who was staging his first defense of the title he won in Perth, Western Australia last November, was awarded a unanimous points victory despite the bout lasting just seven of a scheduled 12 rounds.

In front of a capacity crowd of 2,000, The Pavilion in Melbourne went dark at the end of the seventh round due to a blackout in the area, with Tomlinson well ahead after he knocked down Ruiz with a left jab in the opening round.

After deliberating for about 10 minutes and with no backup source of lighting, officials declared Tomlinson the winner.