Japanese boxing star Naoya Inoue bolstered his declare because the world’s finest fighter no matter weight on Tuesday when he laid waste to Stephen Fulton to seize the WBC and WBO junior featherweight titles, changing into a world champion in a fourth totally different weight class.
Inoue (25-0, 22 KO) dominated the motion from the opening bell at Tokyo’s Ariake Enviornment, outboxing the taller, longer champion from Philadelphia over seven punishing rounds earlier than dropping him early within the eighth. Fulton was capable of beat the depend however was quickly dropped at heel beneath a hail of blows, prompting the referee to wave the combat off on the 1:14 mark.
Lower than one 12 months after making historical past by stopping Britain’s Paul Butler in the identical venue to unify all 4 world titles at bantamweight, the 30-year-old Inoue additional bolstered his pound-for-pound credentials in bettering to to 20-0 with 18 knockouts in world championship fights.
Inoue’s stabbing jab, blinding hand velocity and twitchy in-and-out motion troubled Fulton from the primary spherical, making the champion seem tentative and unable to get off. Inoue outboxed his opponent badly within the opening phases, leaving him with a trickle of blood flowing from his nostril whereas in full retreat in the course of the third.
Even when Fulton (21-1, 8 KOs) loved uncommon pockets of success, like when he strung collectively a few mixtures throughout strongest moments within the fifth spherical, Inoue responded instantly and with prejudice. He countered the champion’s jab when he wasn’t outright beating him to the punch, touchdown concussive straight rights and evading return fireplace with suave protection.
Inoue completed the proceedings early within the eighth, following a exact jab to the physique with a proper hand upstairs that dropped Fulton. The American beat the depend, however Inoue lunged in for the end and the referee appropriately waved it off.
Tuesday’s long-awaited blockbuster between two unbeaten champions of their primes was initially made for 7 Could, however a two-and-a-half-month delay was compelled after Inoue injured his hand throughout coaching camp.
“Every thing I used to be eager about was to combat him this 12 months,” Inoue stated. “Nevertheless, sadly, I obtained injured, and I needed to postpone this combat. I’m sorry to my workforce and Fulton’s workforce, however thanks a lot for accepting this combat as soon as once more. I’m so completely satisfied proper now.”
The Filipino southpaw Marlon Tapales, who captured the opposite two main belts at 122lbs in April with a split-decision win over Murodjon Akhmadaliev in San Antonio, took in Tuesday’s combat from ringside. A showdown with Inoue to unify all 4 title belts at tremendous bantamweight might occur as quickly as November.
