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: Main event
Inoue: “This is the first Tokyo Dome boxing event in 34 years, I’m so happy to be here.
“A big surprise happened in the first round!” You can say that again.
“Actually, that happening gave me good motivation and attention.
“I don’t remember anything that my dad told me during the intermission [after the knockdown], but that gave me motivation and focus until the end of the fight.”
Inoue vs Nery LIVE: Main event
Naoya Inoue def. Luis Nery via sixth-round KO (1:22).
Inoue vs Nery LIVE: Main event
Round six
Clean right hand by Inoue! Nery looks a little punch drunk after that one...
OH! BRUTAL KNOCKDOWN BY INOUE! He sends Nery lolloping through the ropes with a short right cross!
The referee thinks about calling it off, Nery’s eyes are glazed over... and it’s DONE!!!
Inoue vs Nery LIVE: Main event
Round five
Great cross and left hook from Inoue. He’s parrying Nery’s jab now, and there’s a counter right hook by Inoue – to the head, as Nery hooks to the body. Great timing by the champion.
Inoue is really turning it up now. There’s a pause, though, as Inoue complains that Nery was leading with his head.
OH!! Down goes Nery again! It’s another left hook!
Nery is back up, but Inoue is tuning the Mexican up now. Nery’s hands are coming down and he’s taking clean punches.
Inoue vs Nery LIVE: Main event
Round four
Clean cross from Inoue, well timed.
This is fun stuff; Inoue is taunting Nery after landing shots, and calling on the Mexican to throw. Now he’s dancing!
That’s brave stuff from a man who was just knocked down a few rounds ago!
Inoue vs Nery LIVE: Main event
Round three
What a fight we have on our hands. Inoue has Nery stumbling, but the Mexican suggests it was a punch to the back of the head.
Snapping jab by Nery. Now a left uppercut to the body. Both men land hooks.
Better spell for Inoue now; he’s landing straight shots.
Oh! A one-two snaps back the head of Nery.
Inoue vs Nery LIVE: Main event
Round two
Straight shots land for both men. Inoue just about blocks a left hook.
There’s a tense spell where neither boxer wants to throw, until Nery goes and Inoue counters with a left hook.
Inoue steps in with a right hook to the body, then DROPS NERY as the challenger chases him! It’s a perfectly-timed counter left hook!
Nery is quickly back on his feet, but Inoue just about had time to celebrate that. He’s getting himself pumped up.
Inoue vs Nery LIVE: Main event
Round one
Inoue stands orthodox, Nery southpaw. Inoue with a BIG overhand right almost immediately, but it’s off-target.
Jab on point for Nery, and another. Now a left hook to the body. Nery leaps in for another hook but misses wildly.
Now Inoue misses with a counter hook, as Nery dives forward.
OH!!! MASSIVE LEFT HOOK FROM NERY! AND INOUE IS DOWN FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HIS CAREER! WHAT?! That shot spun him round!
Inoue is back up but looks bewildered! Nery corners him and misses with hooks. Good head movement from Inoue, who lands a counter left.
He blocks a barrage of hooks from Nery now and lands a slick uppercut! He still looks a little uncertain, though...
Not anymore; he’s smiling at Nery! A bit of a glance between them after the bell...
Inoue vs Nery LIVE: Main event
The national anthems are out the way, now here are the fighter introductions, courtesy of Jimmy Lennon Jr.
Plenty of boos for Nery!
HERE WE GO! First bell!
Inoue vs Nery LIVE: Main event
Inoue enters this bout with a professional record of 26-0 (23 KOs), while Nery is 35-1 (27 KOs).
Nery makes his way to the ring first, in front of 55,000 fans in a sold-out Tokyo Dome.
Now here comes Inoue, played out by a live guitarist and with pyro all around him.
Inoue looks SERIOUS. This should be fun.
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