Inoue vs Nery LIVE: Results and reaction after dramatic fight in Tokyo
‘The Monster’ dispatched his Mexican rival in a thrilling fight in Tokyo, Japan to defend the undisputed super-bantamweight titles
Naoya Inoue retained his undisputed super-bantamweight titles against Luis Nery with a dramatic knockout in Tokyo on Monday.
Inoue, Indy Sport’s pound-for-pound No 1 boxer, continued his dominant streak and added the Mexican to his emphatic win over Marlon Tapales in December, when he became undisputed in a second division – just the second man in history to achieve that feat.
The Japanese, 31, was forced to get off the canvas for the first time in his career, after being floored in round one. But he rallied superbly to drop Nery three times, eventually stopping him in the sixth round.
Re-live all the action, undercard results and reaction from Inoue vs Nery below.
Inoue vs Nery LIVE: Jason Moloney vs Yoshiki Takei
Round four
Takei goes down under pressure from Moloney – much-needed pressure – but it’s just a slip.
Speaking of that, Moloney motions to the mat himself, and one corner of the canvas is wiped dry.
He’s backed into another corner now, as Takei turns up the pressure. A counter left hook puts Moloney off balance, after he misses with a one-two.
Inoue vs Nery LIVE: Jason Moloney vs Yoshiki Takei
So, Takei with the better offence so far, but also some low blows that have cost him a point. Good defence by both boxers, for the most part, but Moloney needs to put some more punches together. That’s the pattern at the moment.
Round three
Nice, long jab by Takei! He buries a left hook into the body of Moloney and pours on a flurry of headshots!
Moloney complains of punches to the back of the head, but he was bending down in seeming uncertainty over how to defend himself!
Takei is starting to find his timing and rhythm. Moloney is struggling to do so.
Inoue vs Nery LIVE: Jason Moloney vs Yoshiki Takei
Round two
Good defence from Moloney so far. He skips into range and does well to block Takei’s attempted counters.
More clean offence is needed by Moloney, though. That said, Takei hasn’t landed toooo much yet, bar the afore-mentioned low blows – for which he was warned.
Oh! And a long left hook to the body sees Takei lose a point! Wow.
Moloney curls out a left hook but misses. He blocks a one-two by Takei. Step-in cross to the chest by Takei.
Inoue vs Nery LIVE: Jason Moloney vs Yoshiki Takei
Round one
Takei stands southpaw, Moloney is orthodox. This is just the second time that Moloney has fought a southpaw in a 10-year pro career.
Some sharp parries of that right-hand jab, though, in a promising start for Moloney.
Nothing significant landed by either man so far, other than two crosses from Takei – both of which were aimed at the body, and both of which have seen him warned for firing too low. And a third time!
He accepts each warning with a nod.
A cross to the chest of Moloney now. Decent step-in jab by the champion in response. Takei just overshoots with a right hook to the head.
Inoue vs Nery LIVE: Jason Moloney vs Yoshiki Takei
Time for the co-main event!
Australia’s Jason Moloney defends the WBO bantamweight title against Japan’s own Yoshiki Takei!
Moloney is 27-2 (19 KOs), while Takei is 8-0 with eight KOs!
Moloney is a former victim of the “Monster”, Naoya Inoue, by the way.
Moloney is hopping about. Takei looks calm, almost meditative.
Inoue vs Nery LIVE: Takuma Inoue vs Sho Ishida
Takuma Inoue def. Sho Ishida via unanimous decision (118-109, 118-109, 116-111).
And still! The right result.
Inoue vs Nery LIVE: Takuma Inoue vs Sho Ishida
Round 12
A fun final round! A mini war of attrition that ends with Inoue throwing Ishida to the mat.
Inoue has surely done enough to retain his title here.
Inoue vs Nery LIVE: Takuma Inoue vs Sho Ishida
Round 11
Penultimate round. Ishida tries to open up the guard of Inoue with teasing hooks and uppercuts, to no avail.
Inoue then throws uppercuts and hooks of his own, but with far more venom.
More holding now.
Back at range, and Inoue times a right cross perfectly. He blocks a one-two. Decent counter uppercut.
Ishida with an uppercut of his own, though Inoue appears unfazed.
Inoue vs Nery LIVE: Takuma Inoue vs Sho Ishida
Round 10
Aggressive start to this round by Inoue, who lands a few harsh hooks and uppercuts. Ishida with a heavy hook of his own.
More solid uppercuts from Inoue! He’s forcing them through the guard of Ishida.
A lot of holding ensues, with both men seemingly looking for a breather.
Inoue vs Nery LIVE: Takuma Inoue vs Sho Ishida
Round nine
Lots more jabs from both bantamweights. Two short lead uppercuts from Inoue at point-blank range.
Ishida chases the champion into the corner. Good head movement from Inoue, into a fine left hook.
Inoue seems to have found his groove. He fires off a cross and follows up with a sneaky right uppercut.
A left uppercut catches out Ishida now. A scrappy exchange ensues, and Inoue hits the deck, but it’s rightly ruled a push by Ishida.
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