NAOYA INOUE ripped the unified super-bantamweight titles from Stephen Fulton in blistering fashion to become a FOUR-WEIGHT world champion.
The former undisputed bantamweight king moved up in weight to challenge Fulton for his WBC and WBO straps on Tuesday afternoon in front of a packed crowd at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.
The Monster was hoping to cement his status as one of boxing’s pound-for-pound kings with an emphatic victory over the American.
And he did just that with an eighth-round stoppage of the previously unbeaten Fulton to capture belts in his FOURTH weight class.
Inoue set the pace from the get-go, taking the centre of the ring and being light on his feet as he tried to get reads on the American.
And get them he did as he began to find a home for his piston jab – many of which were aimed at the body – and rip-roaring hooks.
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Fulton, surprisingly, offered very little in terms of offence.
Perhaps it was the magnitude of the occasion or fighting arguably boxing’s pound-for-pound king enemy territory which got to him.
But either way, he was a shell of the fighter we’ve seen in recent years.
He did, however, showcase some of his true self in round seven – which proved to be the penultimate stanza of the contest.
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Fulton found himself on the canvas just over 40 seconds into the eighth after eating a huge right hand and a follow-up left hook.
Inoue set up the stinging right with a stiff jab to the head of the American, who absorbed them to the body for the majority of the fight.
Fulton beat the count but was a wounded animal in desperate need of a break.
That break, however, didn’t come as Inoue – one of the sport’s bests finishers – went in for the kill.
The 30-year-old cornered the American and began teeing off on him as he turtled up to try and protect himself.
But some of the stinging punches got through and prompted the referee to jump in and wave off the contest as he collapsed to the canvas.
Boxing fans were quick to comment on the sensational stoppage, with one saying: “That was just two completely different levels.
“Inoue is just too good. 4 divisions for The Monster.”
Another said: “Best fighter on the planet. Absolutely no doubt about it.”
And another said: “Inoue just on a different level- so fast.
“He could even go up to 130 IMO with that power. One of the very best.”
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One remarked: “Inoue beats them all he’s on another level pure and simple!”
Another chimed in: “Jab to body then right to the head. Was setting that up most of the fight.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
