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: Robeisy Ramirez vs Satoshi Shimizu
Round 4
Shimizu blocks a cross, but he still seems to feel it through his guard. Ramirez misses with a left hook but pivots back with a right! Lovely.
Lots of jabs from both fighters. Ramirez’s are the more effective, then he adds a clean uppercut.
Both men are opening up more now, and Shimizu is forced to retreat as Ramirez unloads with hooks! Shimizu blocks as many as possible with his back on the ropes, before eventually moving away.
Clean jabs are on point for Ramirez now. Shimizu’s face is sporting significant signs of swelling.
Inoue vs Fulton LIVE: Robeisy Ramirez vs Satoshi Shimizu
Round 3
Ramirez with a left hook to the mid-section. A jab gets through for Shimizu.
Now the home fighter jabs low. Ramirez responds with two right hooks to the head. They’re not the quickest shots, but they’re heavy.
A clubbing right hook goes around Shimizu’s guard. Ramirez now dangles his head in front of Shimizu, who is hesitant to throw.
Both fighters trade hooks upstairs, but the champion’s are the harsher punches.
The featherweights trade uppercuts in close. Brutal right hook from Ramirez! Shimizu absorbs it well...
Inoue vs Fulton LIVE: Robeisy Ramirez vs Satoshi Shimizu
Round 2
Straight shots from Ramirez, a couple getting through and a couple testing Shimizu’s guard.
A slick counter left cross from Ramirez now! It lands clean to the head!
Still Shimizu comes forward, winging hooks into the champion’s guard. Now the Japanese opts for some straight shots, but they’re blocked as well. Ramirez seems unfazed by his challenger’s offence so far.
A cross does get through for Shimizu, who then fires a hook into the ribs. Back comes Ramirez with a hook and a straight.
Ramirez steps forward with a lancing right hook, but it’s partly blocked. Shimizu with a light right hand. He grazes Ramirez with a right hook, as the champion circles away.
Inoue vs Fulton LIVE: Robeisy Ramirez vs Satoshi Shimizu
Round 1
Shimizu with a visible height advantage, though Ramirez is ducking early, too. He slowly follows Shimizu and flicks out some stiff jabs.
Ramirez rolls under a jab then blocks a few. He slips one and thinks about a body shot, but ultimately resists throwing.
A one-two just misses for Shimizu, but the crowd in Tokyo cheers anyway. Now he lands a one-two, though the cross is partially blocked, and Ramirez fires back with an uppercut. He squeezes it through Shimizu’s guard.
A rapid jab just about sneaks through Shimizu’s defence, too. And another. He blocks a right hook, then a one-two.
Great uppercut from the champion, as Shimizu plods forward!
Inoue vs Fulton LIVE: Robeisy Ramirez vs Satoshi Shimizu
It’s been nearly an hour since the last fight! A frustrating wait, but finally we’re going to see some more boxing.
Twelve rounds scheduled, as Cuba’s Ramirez defends the WBO featherweight title against home fighter Shimizu.
After this, it’s Inoue vs Fulton...
Inoue vs Fulton LIVE: Robeisy Ramirez vs Satoshi Shimizu
Now here comes the champion, Ramirez!
Inoue vs Fulton LIVE: Robeisy Ramirez vs Satoshi Shimizu
Shimizu walks out to “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” by Aerosmith.
It’s an unusual choice, but Indy Sport is here for it.
Inoue vs Fulton LIVE: Robeisy Ramirez vs Satoshi Shimizu
Finally! Shimizu is the first to make his ring walk.
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