THE RESULT: WBA bantamweight champion Takuma Inoue completed a aggressive and entertaining combat in Tokyo by sinking a proper uppercut into Jerwin Ancajas’ physique midway via spherical 9. Unable to rise, Ancajas, from the Philippines, was then stopped on the one minute and 44 seconds mark of the spherical, leading to a profitable first defence on dwelling soil for a jubilant Inoue.
KEY MOMENTS: Lengthy earlier than the finisher in spherical 9, there was an Inoue proper hand within the third which appeared to buckle the legs of Ancajas and characterize the primary actual turning level within the combat. Within the very subsequent spherical, nevertheless, Ancajas regarded to have returned the favour by hurting Inoue to the physique with a number of well-placed left arms thrown from the southpaw stance. That spherical particularly was a superb one for Ancajas and a reminder to Inoue that he could be higher served staying away and utilising his velocity and motion. Then once more, by the top of that thrilling and frantic fourth spherical Inoue may be seen smiling; seemingly relishing that form of two-way battle.
RECORDS: Inoue, 28, strikes to 19-1 (5), whereas Ancajas, 32, drops to 34-4-2 (23).
TALKING POINT: As unfair because it maybe is to check him to his brother, it’s laborious to not when seeing Takuma Inoue within the ring. In spite of everything, in addition to sharing a imprecise facial resemblance, additionally they take up comparable positions and stances and have a want to each entertain the followers and inflict harm on their opponent. That Takuma has to work tougher to attain the latter says extra about Naoya’s freakish punch energy than any limitations in Takuma’s sport. Nonetheless, it’s noticeable when watching them each combat simply how far more troublesome it’s finishing up the “Inoue fashion” when freakish punch energy is faraway from the equation. Within the case of Takuma, extra motion is required and fewer possibilities will be taken when lingering on the within. He’s additionally much less prone to deter and subsequently be capable to management an opponent the best way his brother can, so blessed is Naoya by explosive energy few need to style, a lot much less expertise for 12 rounds.
Regardless, tonight was Takuma’s night time. It was his night time to make his first world title defence and it was his night time to point out the world that he can also finish a combat with one punch.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT: It’s protected to say that at bantamweight there are many fights for Inoue to focus on and relish. For example, fights with different belt-holders like Jason Moloney (WBO) and Emmanuel Rodriguez (IBF) would make so much sense, as would a combat towards Junto Nakatani, who has not solely now moved to bantamweight however dazzled earlier on the identical present, stopping Alexandro Santiago in 9 rounds to safe the WBC title.
