French boxer Bruno Girard has won the World Boxing Association light-heavyweight (79.38 kilogram) title by beating American Robert Koon in Orleans, France.
The referee stopped the bout when Girard hammered Koon with a combination in the 11th round. The American had been pinned to the ropes for four rounds and his nose was bleeding the last two rounds.
The win improves Girard's record to 32 wins two draws and three losses. Koon has 29 wins one draw and nine losses. Koon was a late replacement for American countryman Lou Del Valle, who pulled out of the bout because of a hand injury.
The light heavyweight title was left vacant when Roy Jones, Junior was promoted to WBA Super World Champion because he held the WBA, World Boxing Council, and International Boxing Federation titles in the weight class.