In the biggest Japanese boxing match of this generation, Naoya Inoue beat Junto Nakatani on Saturday, handing his compatriot the first loss of his professional career.
Inoue secured a unanimous-decision victory at the Tokyo Dome, retaining the undisputed super-bantamweight titles and preserving his unbeaten record.
Both Inoue, 33, and Nakatani, 28, entered the super-fight with perfect records and as multi-weight world champions, but it was the “Monster” who solidified his already-remarkable legacy with another victory.
Naoya Inoue remained unbeaten as he overcame Junto Nakatani (AP)
Inoue (33-0, 27 KOs) earned scorecards of 116-112, 115-113, 116-112, extending his current title reign – which has followed an undisputed run at bantamweight, and previous title wins at light-flyweight and super-flyweight.
Meanwhile, Nakatani won gold at flyweight and super-flyweight before becoming unified bantamweight champion, a reign that gave way to his super-bantamweight debut in December. Nakatani (32-1, 24 KOs) struggled on that night, sustaining considerable damage in a razor-close win over Sebastian Hernandez Reyes, at the same event where Inoue eased past David Picasso.
And against the finest opposition that the division could offer, Nakatani came up short on Saturday, suffering the same fate as every other foe that Inoue has faced.
While the first few rounds were tense and neither boxer was especially active, it was Inoue who was doing a better job at testing Nakatani, who remained somewhat passive.
Indeed, Inoue began to take gradually-greater risks, darting into range to land crosses and throwing lengthier combinations while staying crisp with his defence. As such, the champion seemed to have a relatively-healthy lead at the midway point.
But the similarly heavy-handed Nakatani began to turn the tide in the second half of the fight. The challenger was doing a better job at holding the centre of the ring, pressing forward as he began to unload hooks on a tiring Inoue.
Inoue (right) on the attack in a back-and-forth fight, in which he was just a step ahead (AP)
With that in mind, there seemed to be all to play for heading into the final three rounds, but it was then that Inoue showed his pedigree and finished strongly – as he so often has over the years.
He might have been helped by a clash of heads that cut Nakatani in round 10, a moment that allowed Inoue a breather and potentially limited the younger boxer’s vision in round 11.
Still, Inoue introduced the rear uppercut well at this stage, while pressing on the gas and forcing Nakatani backwards. Two positive final rounds for Inoue left no doubt over the result, which was confirmed when all three scorecards favoured the Monster.
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