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
Hiraoka stays unbeaten with another finish! Next up: the main event...
It’s Naoya Inoue vs Paul Butler to crown an undisputed bantamweight champion!
Inoue vs Butler
Andy Hiraoka def. Mo Hin Jung via eighth-round TKO (2:07).
Inoue vs Butler
Hiraoka vs Jung – Round 8
A rapid right cross lands for Jung, whose follow-up hook is a bit sloppy.
Hiraoka walks down his opponent, who fires off a right straight but eats a left hook at the same time.
Beautiful left uppercut from Hiraoka as he steps back! Jung falls back into the ropes and onto his backside!!
He stands and beats the referee’s count, but he’s soon put down again! It’s another brutal left hand from Hiraoka – this time a left hook!!
The referee waves it off, he’s seen enough!
Inoue vs Butler
Hiraoka vs Jung – Round 7
Into the second half of this fight. A sharp jab is on the mark for Hiraoka.
Hiroaka briefly corners Jung, who circles away. Hiraoka is cutting off the ring well, though, and he closes distance with a heavy left hook.
Jung blocks the worst of it, then tries to keep his opponent at bay with a few jabs.
Both fighters trade shots simultaneously, before Jung takes a knee.
Inoue vs Butler
Hiraoka vs Jung – Round 6
Jung lunges in, off the mat almost, and is caught with an uppercut below the belt. That’s kind of Jung’s own fault to be honest!
We’re back underway after a brief pause in the action, and the crowd picks up the noise after some gesturing from Jung.
Jung lands a one-two upstairs, before Hiraoka fires back. Now Jung catches Hiraoka on the end of a long, straight punch.
Jung grazes Hiraoka with a left hook. He’s getting a bit too square, though, as he unloads shots.
Hiraoka pumps out a jab then curls a left hook onto the chin of Jung.
Inoue vs Butler
Hiraoka vs Jung – Round 5
A short left cross tags Jung in the face, sending sweat flying. He was mid-punch himself but ends up off target.
He steps into another left hand from Hiraoka, who looks to be growing in confidence.
Jung wings a right hook, which is just wide of the mark but full of power. Another winging hook from Jung, who was using his outstretched right hand as a decoy, but the hook is off the mark.
A left cross snaps back Jung’s head! Now Hiraoka catches him with a jab.
Hiraoka corners the South Korean, who circles into space.
Inoue vs Butler
Hiraoka vs Jung – Round 4
A clean one-two lands to the head of Jung! It immediately reddens the South Korean’s face.
He fires back with a right cross, but Hiraoka blocks it. Jung misses with a hook; Hiraoka misses with an uppercut that has a lot of velocity on it…
The fighters trade jabs, before Hiraoka just misses another uppercut as his opponent charges into range.
Hiraoka backs up Jung, who slips a couple of times as he looks to get away.
Inoue vs Butler
Hiraoka vs Jung – Round 3
Jung flicks out a jab then a wide hook. He’s been the more active fighter, but he’s still not landing all that effectively.
Hiraoka backs up his opponent, then invites a counter shot… Hiraoka pivots away and drops Jung to a knee with a short left hand!
Jung beats the referee’s count and lunges at Hiraoka once more. He’s looking to end the round positively.
Inoue vs Butler
Hiraoka vs Jung – Round 2
Both fighters remain patient, until Jung surges forward with a combination. It’s a tad messy, and he stumbles as he throws it.
Now Hiraoka marches forward but still without much output. He gradually starts to throw more jabs, but they’re solitary shots, spaced out.
Jung fires back, landing a couple of jabs of his own. Hiraoka targets the body.
Inoue vs Butler
Hiraoka vs Jung – Round 1
Both men are light on their feet to start this one, with their lead hands extended.
Each fighter flicks out a couple of jabs as range-finders, with Hiraoka soon aiming for the body.
Hiraoka presses forward subtly, though both fighters are a little hesitant to throw so far.
Hiraoka does connect with a snapping jab, before he’s blasted with a clean cross! Hiraoka now lands a sneaky uppercut.
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