In the Main Event in Tokyo, IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO World Super Bantam champ Naoya Inoue, 27-0 (24), #121 ¾, of Yokohama, JAP, knocked out former WBC 2-division champ Luis ‘Pantera’ Nery, 35-2 (27), #120 ¾, of Tijuana, Baja California, MEX, in 1:26 of round six of a scheduled 12 rounds.
In the first round with a little over a minute remaining Inoue landed a right but was countered with a left on the chin being dropped for an 8-count from Referee Michael Griffin but managed to get to the bell. In the second round stepping back toward the ropes Inoue landed a left hook on the chin dropping the oncoming Nery for an 8-count from referee Griffin. In the fifth round a left hook from Inoue dropped Nery for an 8-count from referee Griffin. In the sixth round a right from Inoue dropped Nery for the count.
WBO World Bantam champ James ‘Mayhem’ Moloney, 27-3 (19), #117 ¾, of New So. Wales, AUST, was upset by southpaw Yoshiki Takei, 9-0 (8), #117 ¾, of Yokohama, Kanagawa, JAP, over 12 rounds losing his title in an all-action fight.
In the second round Takei lost a point on a low blow by Referee Ken Willis. From the third through the fifth rounds Moloney had the edge for the most part though some swelling around the left eye.
In the sixth round Takei ended the round with a counter left on the chin turning the fight back to his favor. In the eighth round Takei in the final minute started looking at the clock starting to wear down a bit. In the ninth round Moloney continues to follow Takei around the ring taking the round. In the tenth round Takei stopped moving at times in order to score with his southpaw right jab and follow-up left to the chin of Moloney in taking the round.
In the eleventh round Takei continues boxing well. In the twelfth and final round Moloney fighting like he needs a knockout having Takei on the defense looking to get to the end of the round. At the bell Takei was exhausted.
Scores were 117-110 and 116-111 twice.
WBA World Bantam champ Takuma Inoue, 20-1 (5), #117 ¾, of Yokohama, JAP, defeated Sho Ishida, 34-4 (17), #117 ¾, of Osaka, JAP, over 12 rounds.
In the first rounds final minute Ishida countered an Inoue miss with a solid jab dropping him for an 8-count from Referee Louis Pabon. In the second round Inoue came back well from the knockdown drawing blood from the nose of Ishida with a jab. In the third round both had their moments in a good action round.
In the fourth round Inoue used a good right uppercut and left hook to the body of Ishida taking another round.
In the fifth and sixth rounds Ishida came back well with an effective jab. From the seventh through the tenth Inoue came back well.
In the eleventh and twelfth rounds Inoue did enough to retain his title.
Scores were 118-109 twice and 116-111.
WBA World Fly champ Seigo Yuri Akui, 20-2-1 (11), #111 ¾, of Kurashiki, JAP, defeated Taku Kuwahara, 13-2 (8), #111 ¾, of Yokohama, JAP, over 12 rounds.
In the six round Akui dominated Kuwahara. The second half of the fight Kuwahara fought back well enough to go the distance.
Referee Raul Caiz, Jr. Scores 118-110, 117-111 twice.
WBO Asia Pacific Super Bantam champ southpaw TJ ‘The Power’ Doheny, 26-4 (20), #121 ¾, of New So Wales, AUST, stopped Bryl Bayogos, 7-1-1 (2), #121 ¼, of General Santos City, PH, @ 2:51 of the fourth round of a scheduled 8 rounds.
In the fourth round Referee Someya put a stop to the domination of Bayogos.
Ring Announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr.
