Ndou Beats Ben Rabah In 12th-Round TKO

SYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- Lovemore Ndou scored a 12th-round technical knockout over Naoufel Ben Rabah in a world title elimination fight Sunday at Sydney Olympic Park.

Ndou could next face IBF junior welterweight champion Ricky Hatton of Britain. With the win, the 35-year-old Ndou secured the IBF No. 1 ranking and a mandatory challenge to reigning champion Hatton.

In a contest featuring numerous toe-to-toe exchanges, Ben Rabah voluntarily retired one second into the 12th round. Ndou staggered his opponent with a big right hand in the closing seconds of the 11th round.

American referee Pete Podgorski called the bout off after asking Ben Rabah whether he could continue. After 11 rounds, Ndou was ahead by one point on two cards and two points on the third.

Ndou weighed in at 138.6 pounds and Ben Rabah at 139.7.

"It all boils down to fitness, if I wasn't (fit) I wouldn't have taken his punches like I did," Ndou said.