Brian Mitchell, 26, a white native of...

Brian Mitchell, 26, a white native of Johannesburg, South Africa, did not have a Spanish work permit Tuesday when he outpointed Jose Rivera in 12 rounds in Madrid in his fifth successful World Boxing Assn. junior lightweight title defense.

“Usually, a South African needs a work permit to work in Spain,” a top Spanish foreign ministry official who asked anonymity said, noting Spain’s opposition to apartheid.

The South African entered Spain on a tourist visa.