YOKOHAMA, September 15, 2008 (AFP) - Nobuo Nashiro defeated fellow Japanese Kohei Kono on a split points decision to retake the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) super flyweight title on Monday.

American and Japanese judges scored it 115-114 for the top-ranked Nashiro, while the other Japanese judge counted it 115-114 for Kono.

Nashiro, 26, who became the champion in July 2006 but lost to Alexander Munoz of Venezuela in May last year, now has 12 wins, including seven KOs, and one defeat.

Kono, aged 27 and ranked third by the WBA, has 21 wins, including seven KOs and four defeats.