Mahyar Monshipour retained his WBA super-bantamweight title against Julio Zarate at the Futuroscope in Poitiers, France earlier tonight when the Mexican failed to answer the bell for round nine.

The 29 year-old challenger forced the fight early on but the French champion managed to tame Zarate with some heavy uppercuts to take control of the fight. However Zarate was not to be denied and he floored Monshipour in the fourth round with a left hook and straight right hand. Monshipour was clearly hurt but showed tremendous guts and determination to fight back and regain the initiative.

Zarate was docked two points in rounds seven and eight for deliberate headbutts. Monshipour, 28-2-2-(19), was ahead on all three judges cards when the fight was stopped.