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
Inoue has taken his time, but he’s finally in the ring! We’ll have national anthems next.
Inoue vs Butler
“Eye Of The Tiger” gives way to “Weekend In Paradise” by Jamie Webster.
Inoue vs Butler
Paul Butler is out first! He emerges to a version of “Eye Of The Tiger” by Survivor.
Inoue vs Butler
Here is the tale of the tape:
Naoya Inoue
Age: 29
Fighting out of: Japan
Stance: Orthodox
Height: 5ft5in
Reach: 67.5in
Pro record: 23-0 (20 knockouts)
Last fight: Stopped Nonito Donaire in Round 2 in June
Titles: IBF, WBA and WBC bantamweight belts
Nickname: “Monster”
Paul Butler
Age: 34
Fighting out of: Britain
Stance: Orthodox
Height: 5ft6in
Reach: 65in
Pro record: 34-2 (15 KOs)
Last fight: Beat Jonas Sultan via unanimous decision in April
Titles: WBO bantamweight belt
Nickname: “Baby-Faced Assassin”
Inoue vs Butler
And here’s our report from Inoue’s last fight, in which he stopped Nonito Donaire in the second round in June, three years after narrowly outpointing the veteran:
Naoya Inoue blasts past Nonito Donaire with early KO to collect WBC bantamweight belt
‘Monster’ remained undefeated as he beat his Filipino opponent for the second time in three years
Inoue vs Butler
Steve mentioned there that some deem Inoue to be the best boxer in the world. Well, he’s No 1 in our pound-for-pound rankings. Here’s what we have to say about him:
“One of the lesser-known names on this list to the more casual fan, the Japanese does not lack in prowess what he may lack in profile.
“Inoue has the best stoppage percentage of any fighter on this list, part of what makes him such an exciting fighter to watch – along with his effortless evasiveness, brutal body attacks, and frightening level of output. Most recently, the ‘Monster’ lived up to his nickname once more by eviscerating Nonito Donaire in a rematch in June, having narrowly outpointed the Filipino in their first fight.
“With that second victory over Donaire, Inoue added the WBC belt to his collection of bantamweight titles, and he also surged to the top of this list from No 5.
“At 29, the WBA, WBC and IBF title holder – who has also held gold in two other weight classes – has plenty left ahead of him.”
Full pound-for-pound list here:
Inoue vs Butler
As Inoue tries to become the first Asian fighter to hold four belts in one division simultaneously, check out Steve Bunce’s preview of the main event:
“Paul Butler is a fearless little boxer for accepting the challenge and fighting Naoya Inoue in Japan on Tuesday. Butler is also a reigning world champion.
“Inoue is known as the “Monster”, a fighter capable of ruining the very best and making it look so easy. He enjoys the finish a bit too much, to be honest.
“Butler held his first version of the world title back in 2014, the same year that Inoue won the first of his world titles. Both were, in fairness, novices.
“Since then, Inoue has won world titles at two different weights and won 17 consecutive world title fights; so far, just two men have survived the distance with Inoue in world title fights. Some consider him the best boxer in the world. Butler’s career has not followed such a smooth and impressive path since the night he won the IBF bantamweight title in 2014.”
Full article here:
Fearless Paul Butler journeys to Japan to hunt ‘Monster’ Naoya Inoue
The veteran Briton fights a man seen by some as the pound-for-pound No 1 in Tokyo on Tuesday, as the bantamweights meet in an undisputed title fight
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