Naoya ‘Monster’ Inoue Defeats Junto ‘Big Bang’ Nakatani

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In the main event, IBF, WBC, and WBO super bantamweight champion Naoya ‘Monster’ Inoue, 34-0 (27), of Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan, won a 12-round decision over former IBF and WBC bantamweight champion southpaw Junto ‘Big Bang’ Nakatani, 32-1 (24), of Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan.

In the first three rounds, Inoue had the edge. In the fourth round, things heated up, with Nakatani taking the round. In the fifth, Inoue came back to take a close round.

In the sixth round, Nakatani finished strong to take the round. In the seventh, Inoue drew blood from Nakatani’s nose with a right hand. In the seventh and eighth rounds, Nakatani came back with stronger finishes.

The ninth round was the best of the fight so far, with Nakatani holding a slight edge. In the tenth, a clash of heads caused a cut above Nakatani’s left eye.

In the eleventh, Inoue dominated as blood streamed down Nakatani’s face. In the twelfth and final round, Inoue started well, but from the midway point it was Nakatani pressing the action.

Scores were 115-113 and 116-112 twice.
Referee: Robert Hoyle.

Co-Feature

In the co-feature, WBC bantamweight champion Takuma Inoue, 22-2 (5), of Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan, won a 12-round decision over Kazuto Ioka, 32-5-1 (17), of Tokyo, Japan.

In the second round, Inoue dropped Ioka for an eight-count with a right hand to the chin. In the third round, Inoue again dropped Ioka for another eight-count.

In the fourth round, Ioka came back, forcing Inoue to clinch while being driven into a corner. In the sixth, Ioka pressed forward behind the jab but lost a close round. In the seventh, Inoue drew blood from Ioka’s nose.

In the tenth, Inoue outjabbed Ioka and again bloodied his nose. In the eleventh, midway through the round, Ioka drove Inoue to the ropes. In the twelfth and final round, Inoue, well ahead, fought strongly as Ioka tried to rally. In the closing seconds, Inoue rocked Ioka with a right hand to the chin.

Scores were 118-108, 119-107, and 120-106.

Undercard Results

Featherweight Reiya Abe, 28-5-2 (10), of Yamato, Japan, lost a majority decision to Toshiki Shimomachi, 23-1-3 (12), of Osaka, Japan, over 10 rounds.
Scores were 93-97, 94-96, and 96-94.
Referee: Takeru Okaniwa.

OPBF welterweight champion Sora Tanaka, 5-1 (5), of Yokohama, Japan, lost a split decision to Jin Sasaki, 21-2-1 (8), of Hachioji, Japan, over 10 rounds.
Scores were 93-97, 94-96, and 96-94.
Referee: Takeru Okaniwa.

WBO Asia Pacific flyweight champion southpaw Kosuke Tomioka, 11-4-1 (8), of Fujimimo, Japan, fought to a split draw with Shogo Tanaka, 5-0-1 (3), of Yokohama, Japan, over 10 rounds.
Scores were 97-98, 94-96, and 95-95.
Referee: Koji Tanaka.

Super middleweight Deok No Yun, 10-3-1 (8), of Suwon, South Korea, lost a split decision to Yuito Moriwaki, 2-0-1 (0), of Tokyo, Japan, over 10 rounds.
Scores were 94-96 and 93-97 twice.
Referee: Nobuto Ikehara.

Super bantamweight southpaw Yoshiki Takei, 12-1 (9), of Yokohama, Japan, defeated DeKang Wang, 9-2 (3), of Kunming, China, by majority decision over 8 rounds.

In the first two rounds, Takei controlled the action. In the third, Wang came back strongly midway through the round. In the fourth, Takei regained control by countering effectively.

In the sixth, Takei dominated and caused swelling under Wang’s left eye. Late in the fight, Wang had success, and in the eighth and final round, he drove Takei back several steps with a right hand to the chin in the best round of the fight.

Scores were 76-76 and 77-75 twice.
Referee: Nobuto Ikehara.

Ring Announcer: Michael Buffer