An incredible fighter was by no means larger.
Naoya Inoue didn’t merely beat an even bigger, succesful opponent in Stephen Fulton Jr. on Tuesday evening in Tokyo. He embarrassed the now-former 122-pound titleholder earlier than lastly placing him out of his distress, delivering an unforgettable eighth-round knockout to cap a elegant efficiency.
Within the course of, Inoue turned a four-division champion. Maybe extra vital, he bolstered the argument that he’s the very best fighter on the planet.
“I returned all my [118-pound] belts to turn into an excellent bantamweight champion,” Inoue mentioned via a translator as he stood within the ring afterward. “All I used to be serious about was a combat towards [Fulton] this yr. … I’m so blissful proper now.”
Inoue (25-0, 22 KOs) stopped Paul Butler to turn into undisputed 118-pound champion in December however shortly gave up his titles to pursue even larger accomplishments.
That’s how he landed on Fulton, the very best 122-pounder on this planet. And the 29-year-old American, searching for to ascertain his personal credentials as a pound-for-pounder, agreed to journey midway all over the world to face Inoue in his yard.
In the long run, nevertheless, Fulton, pretty much as good as he’s, merely didn’t have the instruments to deal with the breathtaking abilities of the person aptly known as “The Monster.”
Inoue took management of the combat instantly along with his blur of a jab and energy punches that made Fulton uneasy about partaking with him, an imbalanced dynamic that had Fulton on the run for the primary few rounds.
Fulton started to plant his ft in Spherical 3 in try to make the combat extra aggressive however he remained reluctant to open up for concern of getting caught cleanly with one among Inoue’s concussive energy photographs.
The Philadelphia fighter had some good moments in Rounds 5 and seven, correct energy punches that gave him hope of climbing again into the combat. Nevertheless, Inoue, the a lot busier fighter, arguably received every of the primary seven rounds because of his fierce, relentless assault.
Then catastrophe struck for Fulton. Inoue harm him with a straight proper to the chin and adopted with a brief left that put him flat on his again as the group at Ariake Area roared.
Fulton was in a position to get to his ft however shortly discovered himself doing his finest impersonation of a human punching bag along with his again towards the ropes. Referee Hector Afu jumped between the fighters as a helpless Fulton was sinking to the canvas, thus ending the carnage and giving the winner Fulton’s WBC and WBO belts.
Inoue was by no means higher.
Naoya Inoue (C) of Japan celebrates his win over Stephen Fulton (not pictured) of the US within the WBC, WBO tremendous bantamweight world title match at Ariake Area in Tokyo on July 25, 2023. (Photograph by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP) (Photograph by KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP through Getty Pictures)
There have been considerations {that a} fighter who began his profession as a 108-pounder was pushing his limits by preventing at 122, significantly towards essentially the most formidable fighter within the division. Turned out dimension wasn’t an element in any respect.
There was discuss in some quarters that Fulton was a greater technician than Inoue. That appears laughable now, as Inoue schooled his overmatched opponent earlier than decreasing the growth.
Certainly, what many believed could be a aggressive combat turned out to be a showcase for a boxing grasp who’s constructing legendary standing in his house nation and past.
Some would possibly argue that Terence Crawford, Boxing Junkie’s No. 1 fighter pound-for-pound, is on par with No. 2 Inoue however it is going to be tough for Crawford to prime his counterpart’s efficiency when he faces Errol Spence Jr. on Saturday in Las Vegas.
And, keep in mind, Inoue, solely 30, is way from completed.
His objective now? Turn out to be the undisputed champion. That may imply a combat with IBF and WBA champ Marlon Tapales, who appeared to verify that the combat is within the works when he stepped into the ring after Inoue’s victory.
The 2 reportedly may meet as quickly as November to unify all 4 main titles.
“I need to combat Naoya Inoue as a result of I need to show that I’m a champion,” Tapales mentioned.
After all, there’s a distinction between holding one or two of the numerous alphabet titles and establishing your self as a really particular fighter, as Inoue underscored as soon as once more towards Fulton.
One would possibly already really feel sorry for Tapales.
Like boxing? Be sure you go to Boxing Junkie for all of your protection of the candy science and observe @BoxingJunkie2 on Twitter.
Be sure you go to the MMA Junkie Instagram web page and YouTube channel to debate this and extra content material with followers of blended martial arts.
