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: Seigo Yuri Akui vs Taku Kuwahara
Round 12
The crowd applauds the boxers as they begin the final round. Kuwahara is breathing heavily, his jaw hanging down.
Even some weaker shots from Akui have Kuwahara stumbling back to the ropes now. He spoke before this rematch about needing to be “brave”, and he has been, but he is clearly exhausted.
Nice uppercut from the challenger, though!
He makes it to the bell. In the pair’s first fight, three years ago, Akui scored a stoppage in the 10th and final round, so Kuwahara has definitely done himself justice here.
He and Akui embrace.
Inoue vs Nery LIVE: Seigo Yuri Akui vs Taku Kuwahara
Round 11
Into the championship rounds.
Kuwahara tries to get Akui off him with a few straights upstairs, but to no avail. Some hooks do work for Kuwahara, though.
Kuwahara keeps unloading, in what is becoming his best spell for some time...
Akui finishes the round strong, however, jolting back the head of a retreating Kuwahara with a power jab and a cross.
Inoue vs Nery LIVE: Seigo Yuri Akui vs Taku Kuwahara
Round 10
The pattern of the second half of this fight continues: Akui is relentlessly stalking Kuwahara, varying his offence with body and head shots.
Akui with a one-two to the chest, bringing down Kuwahara’s hands slightly, then a cross to the jaw. Nice work.
Inoue vs Nery LIVE: Seigo Yuri Akui vs Taku Kuwahara
Round nine
Another clean right hook by Akui. That landed to the head but still brought down Kuwahara’s hands.
A hard jab slips through Kuwahara’s guard now. When the challenger does land, his offence isn’t fazing Akui in the same way that the champion’s is fazing Kuwahara.
Two fast left hooks to the body of Kuwahara.
Inoue vs Nery LIVE: Seigo Yuri Akui vs Taku Kuwahara
Round eight
Akui stalks Kuwahara and lands a firm right hook to the head. Kuwahara continues to circle away.
You have to wonder if Kuwahara’s continual movement, for all of its upside, has tired him out.
He lands a cracking cross now, but this has largely been a troubling period of the fight for the challenger.
Inoue vs Nery LIVE: Seigo Yuri Akui vs Taku Kuwahara
Round seven
Two hard straights snap back the head of Kuwahara, who is caught out while attacking the body of Akui.
This is a tricky spell for Kuwahara, who – as mentioned earlier – was stopped by Akui in their first fight, three years ago (but in the final round).
Kuwahara is cornered and struggling to find a moment to counter. It’s target practice for Akui right now.
Kuwahara finally gets off the ropes and lets his hands go, with mixed success.
Inoue vs Nery LIVE: Seigo Yuri Akui vs Taku Kuwahara
Round six
Akui with a slew of straight shots, but Kuwahara proves elusive, even with his back to the ropes.
Akui starts to connect, but these punches are still largely being blocked. He jabs to the body, and again.
Akui presses forward, but Kuwahara makes life hard with some teasing straights. He leans into a hook, though, and that’s a clean land for Akui!
Now Kuwahara looks to arrest momentum, opening up late in the round – as he has done in a few frames today.
Inoue vs Nery LIVE: Seigo Yuri Akui vs Taku Kuwahara
Round five
Akui puts Kuwahara under further pressure, and the challenger looks to deter him with a hard counter cross.
Kuwahara is continuing to stay mobile, strafing from side to side. A rare clinch ensues, as Akui traps Kuwahara against the ropes.
The flyweights separate, and Kuwahara works the body of Akui. Now he comes up top with a few hooks and a snapping jab.
Inoue vs Nery LIVE: Seigo Yuri Akui vs Taku Kuwahara
Round four
Akui chases Kuwahara with a series of jabs but can’t find the mark. Eventually one gets through, however, followed by a cross.
Not too much offence from Kuwahara in this round, but he’s making sure to stay light on his feet.
Now the challenger opens up with a trio of straight punches, at least one of which pierces Akui’s guard.
Inoue vs Nery LIVE: Seigo Yuri Akui vs Taku Kuwahara
Round three
Akui calmly parries some teasing jabs from Kuwahara, who then slyly curves one into a hook. Great work.
More clever stuff from Kuwahara, who is blending his head movement with his counter shots – very fluid boxing, very hard to read.
Akui finds the mark now, however, with a right hand to the midriff and a left hook to the head. Stern shots.
Akui with a pair of body hooks then a hook upstairs. That’s fine work as well.
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