Naoya Inoue floors Luis Nery three times to defend undisputed super-bantamweight championship after shock knockdown in opening round; he now plans to defend titles against Australia's Sam Goodman in September
Monday 6 May 2024 23:00, UK
Naoya Inoue survived the first knockdown of his career as he floored Luis Nery three times on his way to a devastating stoppage victory at the Tokyo Dome in Japan on Monday.
Nery threatened one of boxing's great upsets when he stunned Inoue with a slick left hook that sent the four-division world champion to the canvas in the opening round.
Inoue responded emphatically with a knockdown of his own in the second, before putting Nery down again in the fifth and eventually finishing off his opponent with a brutal right hand in the sixth.
The victory moves the 31-year-old to a perfect 27-0 in his career as he retained his undisputed super-bantamweight championship.
Inoue was joined in the ring by Sam Goodman after the fight as he agreed to defend his belts against the Australian this September.
Nery had arrived with a less-than glowing reputation among Japanese fans after a controversial past in which he failed a drugs test having defeated Shinsuke Yamanaka - later put down to contaminated food - before missing weight as he emerged victorious again in the rematch.
It appeared as though that reputation might be amplified when he exploited a rare opening in the defence of Inoue to catch the champion with a sharp left counter hook that would leave the pound-for-pound great facing a count for the first time in his career.
Nery resumed his attack upon Inoue returning to his feet, stalking the home favourite into the ring but failing to unearth the decisive shot. Would it come back to haunt him? Inoue saw to as much being the case.
Here was the biggest test of Inoue's so-far spotless career. One he would pass immediately as he turned his attention to Nery's body before swerving a front-foot pounce and catching his opponent off-balance with a perfectly-timed left hook to the torso, leaving the Mexican on the floor. All square.
Inoue's adjustments were underlined in the third as the one boxing fans call 'Monster' began to neutralise Nery's left hook counter with ease, prompting a more tentative approach from the challenger as his main weapon deteriorated.
Coming back Nery's direction were lightning head-to-body combinations and a straight right hand that breached his defences time and time again, one thumping jab snapping his head back in a warning of what was to follow. Inoue had settled; Nery had missed his chance.
Into the fourth and Nery's left hook adopted a more wild look, while across from him Inoue reassured Japanese fans of his control with some showboating followed by two vicious body shots and some more taunting head feints as he skipped around the ring.
Every counter was being slipped, every right hand was finding its target and the body shots were showing increasing signs of wearing Nery down.
Nery's attempts to make the fight a gritty, nasty one on the inside quickly backfired when he was floored by a crashing left hand on the ropes, leaving him biting down on his gumshield upon regaining his feet.
The end was in sight, and eventually arrived in the sixth when Inoue showcased blistering hand speed to land a right upper-cut followed by a clinical right jab that left Nery sprawled out in the ropes.
If anything, the early knockdown only elevated the stock of Inoue, who was unflappable in the face of a setback that might have rocked others far more significantly. A generational talent remains undefeated, and the world remains in awe.
It's one of the biggest sporting events in a generation. Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk collide for the undisputed world heavyweight championship on Saturday May 18, live on Sky Sports Box Office. Book the fight now.
It's one of the biggest sporting events in a generation. Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk collide for the undisputed world heavyweight championship on Saturday May 18, live on Sky Sports Box Office. Book the fight now.
