Featherweight Crown Is Won by Villasana

Marcos Villasana of Mexico scored a technical knockout of Paul Hodkinson of England in the eighth round to win the vacant World Boxing Council featherweight title Saturday in Manchester, England.

Villasana, in his fifth attempt at a title, trailed on points before hitting Hodkinson with a combination of punches and sending him to the canvas midway through the round.

As the count began, Hodkinson stared at referee Arthur Mercante and said, “I cannot see.” Mercante halted the bout.

“I could not see from the left eye from the sixth round onwards,” said Hodkinson, who had two cuts over his eyes.