John "The Beast" Mugabi won the World Boxing Council super-welterweight title Saturday when champion Rene Jacquot twisted his ankle in the first round and couldn't continue in the scheduled 12-round fight.
Mugabi and Jacquot had been fighting for about two minutes when Mugabi threw a left and a right. As Jacquot was turning to avoid them, Mugabi's right seemed to graze Jacquot's head, sending the Frenchman down.As Jacquot was heading to the canvas, his left ankle twisted. Although Jacquot was up immediately, he was hobbling badly and in pain.
After being allowed 20 seconds to recover, Jacquot tried to continue. But Mugabi immediately took advantage of the situation and referee Arthur Mercante stopped the bout.
Jacquot went into his corner and sobbed on his stool, giving up the title to the Ugandan.
It was Jacquot's first defense of the title he won over American Donald Curry in February. Jacquot was the first Frenchman in 30 years to gain a world boxing championship.
Jacquot is 24-10 while Mugabi is 35-2.