THE RESULT: Naoya Inoue recovers after suffering the first knockdown of his career to deliver a stunning sixth round knockout win over Luis Nery to retain his undisputed super-bantamweight title.
KEY MOMENTS: Nery dropping Inoue in the opening session with a left hook was a seismic shock inside the Tokyo Dome. It forced the champion to adjust and lay a violent assault at Nery’s feet. Inoue then returned the favour in the second and fifth before a brutal finish in the sixth session.
RECORDS: Inoue’s reign of terror continues and reaches 27-0 (24 KOs). Mexico’s Nery suffers the second defeat of his 12-year career and now sits at 35-2 (27 KOs).
TALKING POINT: The unbelievable sight of seeing Inoue on the floor in round one. But like all great champions he bounced back and proved that he has the IQ to reset and ensure his opponent’s money shot doesn’t land again.
QUOTABLE: Taking the mic Inoue told the 55,000 fans inside the Tokyo Dome, “Thank you so much for coming to see my fight today. This is the first Tokyo Dome boxing event in 34 years. I’m so happy to be here.”
Discussing the round one knockdown he joked, “How did you like that big surprise in the first round.”
“I was so happy I got knocked down. That happening gave me good motivation.”
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? Unbeaten Australian Sam Goodman joined him in the ring and Inoue declared this may be his next fight in September.
“I’ve been mandatory for over a year, either give up the belts or fight me,” Goodman told the champion. “Let’s get it on.”