Jirov retains IBF title

Jirov (left) was taken the distance again

Russia's Vassiliy Jirov retained his International Boxing Federation (IBF) cruiserweight title for the sixth time with a points victory over Jorge Castro.

Jirov dominated the 12-round fight - in his adopted hometown of Phoenix, Arizona - to extend his undefeated record to 31 victories of which 27 were knockouts.

Jirov won by 119-110, the second time in his last three fights he has been forced to go the distance and his fourth overall.

Castro, who has a 119-8-3 career record, failed to take the opportunities that became available to him as Jirov relaxed in the middle rounds after building a big early lead.

Jirov used his height and reach advantage to come forward and dominate the first four rounds.

Castro, sporting dyed red hair, caught him with two rights early in the fifth but Jirov parried with an effective combination and clinched the round.

In the sixth, Castro landed several strong punches, including a right-left combination before the bell.

At the end of the eighth, Castro tried to land a looping right hand but missed and Jirov countered with several sharp jabs to the face.

Jirov then stayed out of trouble until the final bell.