Antonio Esparragoza battered challenger Pascual Aranda into...

Antonio Esparragoza battered challenger Pascual Aranda into his own corner with a powerful right and then knocked him out at 2:36 of the 10th round to retain his World Boxing Assn. featherweight title at Houston.

Esparragoza (25-1-1) won the title last March when he stopped Stevie Cruz in Fort Worth, Tex..

Aranda (29-7-1) earned the title shot as the No. 8 contender after winning his last five fights in a row.