By Ken Hissner: At the Super Arena, Saitama, Japan, Tuesday over ESPN+ in the Main Event WBA and IBF Super World Bantamweight champion Naoya “Monster” Inoue of Japan stopped WBC World Bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire of Philippines and Las Vegas, Nevada, in two rounds in a unified world title fight rematch.
In the Main Event WBA and IBF Super World Bantam champ Naoya “Monster” Inoue, 23-0 (19), #118, of Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan, stopped WBC World Bantam champ Nonito “Filipino Flash” Donaire, 42-7 (28), #117 ¾, of Talibon, Bohol, PH, and Las Vegas, Nevada, at 1:24 of the second round of a scheduled 12 rounds.
In the first round a quick right hand from Inoue on the side of Donaire’s head and down he went for an 8 count from Referee Michael Griffin in the final seconds of the round. In the second round a left from Inoue on the chin hurt Donaire. Inoue followed up with a flurry of punches dropping Donaire a second time causing referee Griffin to wave the fight off.
WBO Asia Pacific Super Bantam Takuma Inoue, 16-1 (3), #122, of Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan, defeated Japanese Super Bantam champ Gakuya Furuhashi, 28-9-2 (16), #122, of Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan, over 12 non-stop action rounds.
In the third round a left hook from Inoue opened a cut under the right eyebrow of Furuhashi. In the fourth round Furuhashi came back well to win his first round. In the all action fight from the opening round Furuhashi used a good body attack but the uppercuts from Inoue keeps him ahead in this fight.
In the seventh round even off the ropes Inoue scores well especially with uppercuts to the chin of Furuhashi. In the ninth round Inoue lands well on the ever pressing Furuhashi who keeps coming forward but the punch count doesn’t favor him.
In the tenth round it was Furuhashi coming back with an edge. In the twelfth and final round though Furuhashi threw more punches it was Inoue who landed more in always staying one punch ahead of Furuhashi in a fight that had action every round. The respect for one another after the fight was most impressive.
Scores were 119-109 and 120-108 twice with this writer 118-110. Referee Toshio Sugiyama.
Japanese Super Lightweight champ southpaw Andy “Da Blade” Hiraoka, 20-0 (15), #140, of Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan, stopped Shun Akaiwa, 7-4-1 (5), #140, of Fukuoka, Japan, at 1:24 of the sixth round of a scheduled 10 rounds.
In the first round Hiraoka landed a left on the side of the head of Akaiwa midway in the round scored an 8-count knockdown. In the third round Hiraoka with hands to his side countering well the ever coming forward Akaiwa to take another round. In the sixth round Hiraoka put on the pressure to end the fight with a flurry of punches forcing referee Takeru Okaniwa to call a halt.
