Inoue vs Fulton LIVE: Latest boxing fight updates and results
Re-live updates from the super-bantamweight title fight in Tokyo
Pound-for-pound phenom Naoya Inoue took apart Stephen Fulton in Tokyo today, becoming a four-weight world champion in the process.
Japanese superstar Inoue – a former light-flyweight champion and unified title holder at super-flyweight – achieved undisputed status at bantamweight in 2022, before vacating those titles to set up this clash with Fulton. The American, 29, carried the WBC and WBO super-bantamweight titles into the Ariake Arena on Tuesday, as well as an unbeaten record (21-0, 8 knockouts).
But Fulton lost all of those accolades as he was beaten to nearly every punch by Inoue, 30, in their main-event clash, which ended in Round 8 after the Japanese dropped the champion with a brutal left hook. Although Fulton beat the referee’s count, he was soon overwhelmed by Inoue, who forced the referee to step in and wave off the fight.
Re-live updates and results from Inoue vs Fulton and the undercard fights, below. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos.
Inoue vs Fulton LIVE: Main event incoming
We should’ve seen this coming... A long video package is airing before the ring walks!
Inoue vs Fulton LIVE: Main event incoming
T-minus five minutes until ring walks. Don’t go anywhere!
Inoue vs Fulton LIVE: Main event incoming
Fulton: “I just see myself being victorious, no matter how I get it done.
“Am I gonna be a realist, or am I gonna look for a knockout? When it comes, it comes.
“He’ll be comfortable. He’s in his country, he’ll be comfortable. I’m defending out there.”
Inoue vs Fulton LIVE: Main event incoming
Fulton in the lead-up to this fight: “[Inoue] has his country behind him, as well as his knockout power.
“He’s a technical fighter; I’m a technical fighter. He’s a smart fighter; I’m a smart fighter.
“I feel like my fighting style is very smart – a very intelligent fighting style. I fight to my mood.”
Inoue vs Fulton LIVE: Main event incoming
There is no question that Fulton marks a step-up in competition for Inoue after his last fight.
The American, 29, is unbeaten like his opponent here, holding a pro record of 21-0 (8 KOs).
“Cool Boy Steph” is a former IBO super-bantamweight champion, who won the WBO belt in January 2021 by outpointing Angelo Leo.
Fulton then collected the WBC title in November 2021 with a points victory over Brandon Figueroa.
Since then, the American has fought once, retaining his gold with a decision win against David Roman in June 2022.
It’s been a fairly long lay-off for Fulton, therefore, heading into this bout.
Inoue vs Fulton LIVE: Main event incoming
Here’s a look back at Inoue’s last fight, a stoppage of Paul Butler in December, which saw the Japanese become undisputed at bantamweight...
“Naoya Inoue became undisputed bantamweight champion this week by securing a TKO against Paul Butler in the 11th round.
“Inoue had the home advantage in Tokyo, and he displayed in-ring advantages throughout the main-event contest, too, toying with Butler from the opening bell. Inoue entered the Ariake Arena with an unbeaten record and never looked in danger of losing it, or his IBF, WBA and WBC titles as he sought to claim Butler’s WBO belt.
“Inoue, nicknamed the ‘Monster’, backed up the Briton for the first half of the contest, mixing up his offence with spiteful hooks to the body and piercing straight punches to the head, while Butler’s rare moments of activity did not seem to faze Inoue.
“Butler’s focus was largely on maintaining a high guard and relying on lateral movement to steer clear of Inoue, who exhibited masterful head movement when needed to stay just out of range of the 34-year-old’s sporadic attacks. As the contest wore on, a bored-looking Inoue began to taunt Butler, fighting with his hands low and his chin jutting out, inviting the WBO title holder to strike.
“Butler, whose inferior speed and power were evident, never truly opened up enough for Inoue to land the kind of counter shot that he appeared to want, however, and so the Japanese bantamweight set about finding a finish in the 10th round.
“After freezing Butler by blasting him with a brutal hook the body, Inoue unloaded a flurry of headshots on his opponent, who was backed up against the ropes. Butler covered up, crouched, then collapsed to the canvas. Moments later, the Briton was laid flat on his front, holding his head, and the referee waved off the contest.”
Naoya Inoue toys with Paul Butler to become undisputed bantamweight champion
The Japanese fighter stopped his British opponent in the 11th round in Tokyo
Inoue vs Fulton LIVE: Main event incoming
One of the lesser-known names on any pound-for-pound list to the more casual fan, Inoue does not lack in prowess what he may lack in profile.
Inoue has the best stoppage percentage of any fighter on our list (21 KOs from 24 wins), part of what makes him such an exciting fighter to watch – along with his effortless evasiveness, brutal body attacks, and frightening level of output.
In June 2022, the “Monster” lived up to his nickname once again by eviscerating Nonito Donaire in a rematch, 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.
The 30-year-old then stopped Paul Butler in the 11th round in December to take the WBO strap and become undisputed champion – and Asia’s first boxer to hold four world titles in a weight class at once.
The three-weight world champion has plenty left ahead of him, including this move to super-bantamweight against Fulton.
Inoue vs Fulton LIVE: Main event incoming
Inoue is Indy Sport’s pound-for-pound No 1. We appreciate that these things are very subjective, but you can read our list and reasons for Inoue’s No 1 spot right here:
Inoue vs Fulton LIVE: Robeisy Ramirez vs Satoshi Shimizu
Ramirez makes a successful first defence of the WBO featherweight title, moving to 13-1 (8 KOs).
Next up, the main event... Naoya Inoue challenges Stephen Fulton for the WBC and WBO super-bantamweight belts...
Inoue vs Fulton LIVE: Robeisy Ramirez vs Satoshi Shimizu
Round 5
Ramirez gets right after Shimizu from the bell. He’s swarming his challenger, and he ultimately drops him with an uppercut!!
Shimizu just about beats the referee’s count, but as the action resumes, he’s subjected to hook after hook after hook!
Shimizu is blocking to the best of his ability, but teetering and offering no counters! The referee steps in!! It’s all over!
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