On The Watch “It’s All About Naoya Inoue vs Junto Nakatani”

Undisputed Junior Featherweight Showdown

Undisputed IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Junior Featherweight Champion Naoya “Monster” Inoue (33-0, 27 Kos) continued his dominant performance in the Junior Featherweight Division when he took on another heavy fisted challenger coming up in weight in undefeated former IBF/WBC Bantamweight Champion Junto “Big Bang” Nakatani (32-1, 24 Kos) this morning at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan before 55,000 fans in attendance.

In the first few rounds, Nakatani uncharacteristically fought with extreme caution by not letting his lethal hands go unlike Inoue who pressed the action by being the aggressor and letting his hands go, keeping the rounds interesting. That being said, Nakatani eventually started to let his hands go in stretches but still with much caution to match up with Inoue who kept a steady pace with accurate punch output.

As expected, both combatants were strategic in their approach but to me it was Inoue who looked more like the risk taker inside that squared circle. The action picked up as the rounds progressed when both warriors looked to do some damage to one another whenever the opportunity presented itself. As much as Inoue’s speed was a problem so was Nakatani’s jab whenever it landed but the real difference, was Inoue’s power punches which were visibly more effective then Nakatani’s.

Nevertheless, this was a highly executed bout where both combatants had their moments which made it that much more interesting. After 12 full rounds of action the Judges at hand scored it 116-112, 116-112 and 115-113 unanimously for Naoya Inoue.

This was a challenging bout for Inoue where he had to adjust on the fly as his opponent was quite skilled and evasive in his own way. Inoue still found a way to prevail and retain his Undisputed IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Junior Featherweight Championship crown.

Well done, Naoya. Who’s next?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Naoya Inoue vs Marlon Tapales”

Undisputed Junior Featherweight Champion

Unified WBC/WBO Junior Featherweight Champion Naoya Inoue (26-0, 23 Kos) continued his dominant performance when he took on Unified IBF/WBA Junior Featherweight Champion Marlon Tapales (37-4, 19 Kos) at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.

It was an exciting bout from start to finish where both combatants brought their “A” game inside that squared circle and performed for their respective fans by going toe to toe earning each other’s respect.

Marlon stood his ground and fought fire with fire at times but quickly found out that Naoya was an exceptional opponent that required a different type of approach considering how skilled and allusive he is inside that squared circle.

There are levels to this boxing sh*t and this morning Inoue outworked and out skilled a very worthy champion in Marlon. Naoya’s controlled aggression was key as he was able to chin check Marlon and dropped him for a quick 8 count late in the fourth round.

Although Marlon recovered and continued to have some sporadic moments inside the squared circle, the heavy pressure that Naoya was applying with his accurate punch selection was visibly getting to Marlon.

Naoya’s power is real and was on full display as he was able to drop Marlon for the second time with further impact that kept him down for the count in the 10th round. Marlon did good and fought well throughout the bout but was simply met with a superior combatant on the night.

With this convincing win Inoue has now in his possession the IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO and the vacant Ring Magazine Belt crowning him the New Undisputed Junior Featherweight Champion of the World.

This is an unbelievable achievement to be added to his ever-growing accolades of winning Titles in four different Divisions and back-to-back Undisputed recognition keeping a stronger hold on lock on everybody’s Pound for Pound list.

Well done, Naoya, Fighter of The Year is a must.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Naoya Inoue vs Paul Butler”

Undisputed Bantamweight Championship

The first-ever Undisputed Bantamweight Champion in the four-belt era was crowned last night when Undefeated Unified WBA/WBC/IBF and Ring Magazine Champion Naoya Inoue (24-0, 21 Kos) took on WBO Champion Paul Butler (34-3, 15 Kos) and completely outclassed him in front of his hometown at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo.

I expected to see two warrior Champions go blow for blow inside that squared circle vying for that Undisputed Crown but instead I witnessed the “Monster” Inoue establish immediate fear into his opponent causing him to retreat into survivor mode from round 1 and on.

For Butler to travel from the United Kingdom to Tokyo and not perform like the Champion that he is, was very disappointing. Butler talked a good game from the jump but failed miserably when faced head on with Inoue inside that squared circle.

There are levels to this boxing sh*t and clearly Inoue was 10 notches above Butler who had absolutely no answer and lacked a “game plan” to contain or deter the stronger, faster, smarter combatant from having his way with him inside that squared circle.

Inoue’s punches were thumping with accuracy round by round and even when Butler attempted to utilize the ring by moving away, he was met with an aggressive flurry of punches at every corner. Butler looked like a moving punching bag trying to survive a never-ending onslaught.

Entering the 11th round Inoue was ready to close the show and close the show he did when the crowd in attendance rallied behind their star, motivating him to punish his opponent with a flurry of body to head shots breaking Butler down who was unable to answer the count by the referee.

Although Butler did not behave like a Champion on this night, he did prove to be a tough Dude to withstand such a one-sided beatdown for eleven rounds at the hands of Naoya “Monster” Inoue – the New Undisputed WBA/WBC/WBO/IBF and Ring Magazine Bantamweight Champion of the world.

Congratulations Naoya on you latest history making accomplishment.

Blaze