Inoue vs Nery LIVE: Results and reaction after dramatic fight in Tokyo
‘The Monster’ dispatched his Mexican rival in a thrilling fight in Tokyo, Japan to defend the undisputed super-bantamweight titles
Naoya Inoue retained his undisputed super-bantamweight titles against Luis Nery with a dramatic knockout in Tokyo on Monday.
Inoue, Indy Sport’s pound-for-pound No 1 boxer, continued his dominant streak and added the Mexican to his emphatic win over Marlon Tapales in December, when he became undisputed in a second division – just the second man in history to achieve that feat.
The Japanese, 31, was forced to get off the canvas for the first time in his career, after being floored in round one. But he rallied superbly to drop Nery three times, eventually stopping him in the sixth round.
Re-live all the action, undercard results and reaction from Inoue vs Nery below.
Inoue vs Nery LIVE: Main event
Next up, the main event!
Naoya Inoue defends the undisputed super-bantamweight titles against Luis Nery.
Inoue, Indy Sport’s pound-for-pound No 1 boxer, stopped Marlon Tapales in December to become undisputed in a second division – just the second man in history to achieve that feat. The Japanese, 31, was previously undisputed at bantamweight and also reigned at light-flyweight and super-flyweight.
Inoue’s win over Tapales also took the unbeaten “Monster” to seven straight knockouts, while Nery enters Tokyo on a three-fight KO streak and with just one professional loss to his name.
The Mexican, 29, is a former bantamweight and super-bantamweight champion, but he faces a stern test against Inoue here.
Inoue vs Nery LIVE: Jason Moloney vs Yoshiki Takei
Yoshiki Takei def. Jason Moloney via unanimous decision (117-110, 116-111, 116-111).
The right decision, and the Japanese crowd greets it with a roar!
Inoue vs Nery LIVE: Jason Moloney vs Yoshiki Takei
Round 12
Final round! The crowd pays respect to the fighters with a nice round of applause.
Short, teasing shots from Takei. Moloney comes back with a hook. He presses forward, but Takei is keeping the champion at bay with activity.
A cross gets through for Moloney, jolting back the head of Takei, but the Japanese fires back!
A hard right hook by Moloney! He’s desperately trying to save his title reign!
Both men land a few hooks, with Moloney catching Takei while the challenger’s hands are completely down!
What an ending to this bout. A real firefight at the end.
Inoue vs Nery LIVE: Jason Moloney vs Yoshiki Takei
Round 11
Two rounds to go. Moloney presses forward, but he walks on to an uppercut.
Moloney tries a straight right and a power jab, but both are just wide of the mark.
Left hook to the body by Takei. One-two.
Inoue vs Nery LIVE: Jason Moloney vs Yoshiki Takei
Round 10
Nice jab by Takei, who mixes in some uppercuts now. Again, though, the power isn’t quite there anymore.
Takei with some hooks, and even though he’s not as dangerous as he was earlier in the fight, Moloney isn’t capitalising.
Inoue vs Nery LIVE: Jason Moloney vs Yoshiki Takei
Round nine
Takei regains some momentum of his own, but he stumbles back after a clean cross from Moloney.
Takei lands a long right cross, but there’s no power on it. He is looking more tired and ungainly now.
Inoue vs Nery LIVE: Jason Moloney vs Yoshiki Takei
Round eight
This is better from Moloney again now. He catches Takei on the end of a cross.
Takei has lost his mouthguard and motions to the referee, but Moloney lands a combination before it can be put back in! Ouch.
Takei now slips in the corner. He’s back on his feet, and Moloney maintains his momentum. Good jab from the champion.
Inoue vs Nery LIVE: Jason Moloney vs Yoshiki Takei
Round seven
Harsh rear uppercut and lead hook by Takei! Brilliant stuff.
Now a sharp jab, and Moloney ties up to stem the tide of offence.
Inoue vs Nery LIVE: Jason Moloney vs Yoshiki Takei
Round six
A lead left hook lands clean on Moloney’s chin. This fight is starting to get away from him. He lands a solid jab at last.
Hard left hook by Takei, to the body this time. The boxers briefly tie up. They separate.
A decent short cross by Moloney, who catches Takei as he’s dipping. More success for Moloney now, including a mean right hook to the body!
Inoue vs Nery LIVE: Jason Moloney vs Yoshiki Takei
Round five
Teasing uppercut and a solid cross by Takei. Moloney throws a couple of combinations, but he can’t find the mark.
A hard counter left hook is on point for Takei!
Moloney skips forward but still can’t put together any offence of note.
Takei with a step-in uppercut, just before the bell.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments