Inoue vs Butler LIVE: Result and reaction as ‘Monster’ secures late TKO
Relive round-by-round updates as Naoya Inoue stopped Paul Butler in Japan to become undisputed bantamweight champion
The Independent’s pound-for-pound No 1 boxer Naoya Inoue became undisputed bantamweight champion on Tuesday, stopping Paul Butler in the 11th round.
Japan’s Inoue had the home advantage at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, and he showed speed and power advantages from the early moments of the contest.
Inoue, 29, toyed with Butler, 34, before stopping the Briton with a hook to the body and a flurry of headshots in the penultimate round.
In doing so, the “Monster” stayed unbeaten and added Butler’s WBO title to his IBF, WBA and WBC belts. Next up, according to Inoue, will be a move to super-bantamweight.
Relive all the action with our blog below:
Inoue vs Butler
Round 9
Inoue goes after Butler. Surely he wants the finish now.
The Japanese bantamweight is light on his feet, hopping about.
He squeezes a right cross through the Briton’s guard, then puts him off balance with another right.
Inoue triples up on his jab, forcing Butler to retreat. Butler with a trio of hooks to the head, one of which gets through. Same again, this time with a body shot mixed in. These are the first real signs of life from Butler in this round.
Right hook and uppercut to the body by Inoue, then a left hook up top – inventive combination.
Inoue vs Butler
Round 8
Butler hooks to the body off both wings, then lands a left hook to the head! One of his best moments so far.
Both men land with right hooks simultaneously! Better from Butler!
He circles away from Inoue, who is patiently stalking. Now Inoue puts his hands behind his back and smiles at Butler before darting into range and throwing shots up top!
More taunting from Inoue, who seems a tad bored.
Butler unloads hooks to the body but eats one to the head.
Inoue vs Butler
Round 7
More taunting from Inoue, who comes forward with his chin hanging out and his hands down.
Butler accepts the invitation to attack, throwing some straight shots, but there’s just not enough on them, even when they do land.
A rapid left hook and right straight are on the money for Inoue. Now he throws a right cross to the body, then a left hook up top.
He encourages Butler to increase his offence. The Briton lands a left hook to the chest but misses the follow-up to the head.
Inoue vs Butler
Round 6
Forward comes Inoue, before firing off hooks and straight shots – going around and through Butler’s guard.
He briefly goes southpaw before flitting back to orthodox. He leans forward, trying to invite Butler to open up. And the Briton does, catching the home fighter with two clean shots!
Inoue is taking more chances here, trying to lure Butler into a trap. A double-jab, right hand combination connects to the body of the Briton.
More body work by Inoue. Now a bit of taunting, as he hops on the spot.
Inoue vs Butler
Round 5
Inoue is a bit more patient for now. He’s just relying on his jab and defence.
Late in the round, he begins to increase his volume and vary his offence.
He’s wearing down Butler.
Inoue vs Butler
Round 4
Both men bounce around. Stiff right cross to the body by Inoue.
Still Butler stays light on his feet, before flicking out a hopeful jab.
Inoue gets back to the jab himself. He narrowly evades a right cross; it cannot be overstated how elite his head movement is – subtle movements to keep him out of range almost every time.
An Inoue right hook sets up a left straight. He corners Butler and unleashes hooks to the head and body!
Butler with his own hooks to the body, but his relative lack of power is evident.
Inoue ends the round with a series of jabs.
Inoue vs Butler
Round 3
Heavy right hooks from Inoue, with Butler in the corner. Inoue goes to the same shot repeatedly, with Butler just covering up!
The Briton is able to get free, and he thinks about some offence of his own. He’s hesitant to let go, though. Soon he’s on the move once more, with Inoue pressuring him.
Inoue relies on his jab for a while, before Butler unloads his best combination so far! Decent speed and a bit of power, as Inoue covers up to absorb these strikes.
Now Inoue retaliates, backing up the WBO champion on the ropes and unloading heavier hooks to the body.
More good head movement from the Japanese boxer to evade Butler’s comeback shots, until the Briton lands a good left hook!
Inoue ends the round with a straight, four-punch combo to the head!
Inoue vs Butler
Round 2
Inoue switches up his offence from head to body and back. He briefly waits on Butler, whose main focus has been on movement rather than output.
Inoue stalks the Briton then unloads shots to the body, then the head! A clever combination, not at full power but rather with teasing strikes. Butler with a right hand to try to get the unified champion off of him.
Again Inoue lets go, with Butler backed against the ropes. Great head movement from Inoue, too, to avoid Butler’s retaliatory combinations! A left hook is off target for Butler twice.
Inoue doesn’t exaggerate his movement; he’s always just out of range.
Inoue ends the round with a terrific combination, alternating between head and body with hooks again.
Inoue vs Butler
Round 1
Butler is light on his feet. Inoue is shuffling back and forth. Butler flicks out a couple of jabs, but Inoue leans back to evade.
Now the Japanese fighter comes forward slowly. He then lunges into a left hook, but it’s off the mark. He stabs some jabs towards Butler – he’s so quick, it’s frightening.
A left hook connects for the home fighter. Butler is moving along the ropes with his guard up.
Inoue launches a right overhand at Butler but just misses, then sees two hooks blocked. Butler comes back with a measured combination, landing the final shot.
Inoue backs him up again, fighting behind the jab before curling hooks into the mid-section of the tourist.
Inoue picks up the volume late in the round, cornering Butler.
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