Naoya Inoue celebrates his win over Stephen Fulton (not pictured) at Ariake Area in Tokyo on July 25, 2023. (Photograph by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP) (Photograph by KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP through Getty Photographs)
Somebody must examine Naoya Inoue. He could also be extra machine than man. He could also be greater than the “Monster” moniker he carries. He possesses these diamond-shaped calves that generate nice torque on his punches. He works at totally different ranges. His punches are so crisp. His footwork is impeccable. His delicate actions create gaping holes in opponent’s defenses. What’s unquestionable is that he’s the very best fighter on this planet at the moment.
On Tuesday on the Ariake Area in Tokyo, Japan, Inoue tore via, tore up, and completely demolished the most effective fighters on this planet, when he stopped beforehand undefeated Stephen “Cool Boy Steph” Fulton, at 1:14 of the eighth spherical to seize the WBC and WBO junior featherweight titles.
Inoue (25-0, 22 knockouts) did it utilizing a superior jab, touchdown nearly as many jabs (44) as Fulton (21-1, 8 KOs) landed punches (47). Fulton was The Ring’s No. 1 junior featherweight, whereas Inoue, The Ring’s No. 2 pound-for-pound fighter (a rating that’s sure to vary), was developing from 118 kilos. Inoue, who gained a world title in a fourth weight class, is now now 20-0 with 18 KOs in world title fights.
Inoue is just otherworldly.
“Every thing I used to be desirous about was to battle (Fulton) this 12 months,” Inoue mentioned. “Nevertheless, sadly, I obtained injured, and I needed to postpone this battle. I’m sorry to my workforce and Fulton’s workforce however thanks a lot for accepting this battle as soon as once more. I’m so completely satisfied proper now.”
On the outset, each fighters had been cautious. Inoue, 30, tried testing Fulton early with jabs, although he stored his left hand low. Inoue blended his jabs, going up and down. Inoue additionally did a pleasant job of chopping off the ring. Because the opening spherical closed, referee Hector Afu warned Inoue about hitting Fulton on the again of the pinnacle.
It was good begin for Inoue, who outlanded Fulton 11-3 within the first spherical.
Inoue opened the second spherical attacking Fulton. Inoue used his up-jab once more, and although lots of his photographs had been blocked, Inoue was nonetheless getting the very best of the 29-year-old Fulton.
In the meantime, Fulton was having a troublesome time discovering his vary within the first two rounds. The opposite concern for Fulton is that he might have underestimated Inoue’s hand pace.
Because the second spherical ended, Inoue was profitable the jab warfare and giving Fulton hassle. By way of two rounds, Inoue owned a 26-6 join benefit.
Fulton gave the impression to be giving Inoue an excessive amount of respect within the first two rounds. Fulton started the third extra aggressive, coming ahead. Inoue, once more, labored properly behind the jab, working up and down, physique and head, head and physique. Even going backward, Inoue was touchdown his photographs. Within the final minute of the third, Fulton started opening up considerably, although he nonetheless didn’t appear to have any solutions for Inoue.
After three, trickles of blood started falling from Fulton’s nostril.
Within the early phases of the fourth, Fulton obtained within Inoue, banging away towards the physique. Inoue stored to his sport plan, mixing his jab, working jabs to Fulton’s head and physique. Inoue was shocking Fulton along with his pace and quickness. Blood started showing on Fulton’s face. Within the final 20 seconds of the fourth, Fulton closed the gap and have become extra aggressive.
However getting into the fifth, Fulton, who was uncharacteristically tentative, needed to start considering the battle was getting away from him. He had been outlanded 55-18 after 4.
With 2:11 left within the fifth, Fulton, in a uncommon second, opened his palms. Inoue, bodily smaller than Fulton, was preventing like the larger man. Fulton did commit extra within the fifth, Inoue was nonetheless touchdown the standard photographs.
For the fifth-straight spherical, Inoue had outlanded Fulton. It was simple to assume Inoue had a 5-0 lead after 5.
Inoue used his jab once more within the sixth, beating Fulton to the punch, working up and down, touchdown a couple of jabs on Fulton’s waistline. It additionally appeared obvious that Inoue has taken his energy up from 118.
Inoue stored setting the desk with the jab. Because the final 10 seconds wound down within the sixth, Inoue popped Fulton with blunt, brief left.
By way of six, Inoue was making it look simple and was way more snug.
With 1:52 within the seventh, Fulton landed presumably his finest punch of the battle, an overhand proper that caught Inoue on the facet of the pinnacle. The issue was, Inoue walked via it and got here proper again. Something Fulton tried, Inoue had a solution after which some, utilizing his overwhelming pace and energy.
A four-punch mixture compelled Fulton again into the ropes and with :15 seconds left within the seventh, Inoue plowed Fulton with a proper.
After seven, it was obvious Fulton must knockout Inoue to win. Fulton landed double digits punches for the primary time within the battle, with 13 connects within the seventh, and Inoue was nonetheless dominant.
Within the eighth, Inoue obtained Fulton in deep trouble, starting with a straight proper to the chin that knocked down Fulton. Inoue set it up superbly with a left jab to the physique, then went up prime with the precise. Inoue then completed Fulton beneath a barrage of photographs, which compelled Afu to step in and rightfully end it.
Inoue proved his superior skillset. Although he was the smaller man, he was the stronger fighter, and he confirmed superior footwork. Inoue is now 10-0 towards world titleholders—and after this efficiency, a lead contender for not solely the pound-for-pound No. 1 fighter on this planet, however the 2023 Fighter of the Yr, primarily based on beating a formidable titlist in assertive vogue.
Fulton deserves a variety of credit score for taking the battle in a special nation, placing the titles on the road. He walks away with the best payday of his profession, in upwards of eight figures.
Joseph Santoliquito is an award-winning sportswriter who has been working for Ring Journal/RingTV.com since October 1997 and is the president of the Boxing Writers Affiliation of America.Observe @JSantoliquito
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The quilt of the June-July 2023 Summer season Particular was painted by Richard Slone.
