- Inoue's Power Too Much for Kim: Undisputed Champ Conquers Tokyo, Heads to Vegas
- Mental Exhaustion Can't Stop Inoue: "Monster" KOs Kim, Eyes International Stage
- Inoue's Reign Continues: Dominant Victory in Tokyo Fuels Vegas Ambitions
Tokyo, Japan - Naoya "Monster" Inoue lived up to his moniker once again, securing a decisive knockout victory against South Korea's Kim Ye-joon on Friday to retain his undisputed world super-bantamweight titles. Despite the win, the undefeated champion admitted to feeling mentally "exhausted" after a disrupted build-up to the fight.
Inoue, known for his ferocious power and precision, dominated the bout from the outset. Kim, ranked 11th by the WBO, proved a game opponent, but was ultimately no match for Inoue's superior speed and strength. The end came in the fourth round when Inoue unleashed a devastating combination, sending Kim to the canvas for the count.
"I was planning to knock him out anyway so I don’t think he really needed to do that," Inoue commented, referring to Kim's gesture goading him moments before the final blow.
This victory marks Inoue's 29th consecutive win, with an impressive 26 coming by way of knockout. However, the road to this triumph was paved with unexpected challenges. A postponement due to Kim's injury followed by a last-minute opponent change took a mental toll on the champion.
"My opponent got injured and the fight was postponed, then I got a different opponent. It has been difficult mentally," Inoue confessed, describing the win as "a weight off my shoulders."
Now, the "Monster" has his sights set on Las Vegas. Inoue, who hasn't fought outside Japan since 2021, plans to bring his prodigious talent to the boxing mecca this spring. A potential fight in Saudi Arabia later this year is also on the cards following a recent sponsorship deal.
"I don’t know how complete I am as a boxer," said Inoue, reflecting on his future. "I want to keep training so that I can keep improving until the end of my career.”
For Kim, this was his first world title shot and a chance to become South Korea's first male world champion in almost two decades. Despite the loss, he acknowledged Inoue's superior skills.
"Of course I came here to win, so this is difficult for me to take," admitted Kim. "My tactics were to get Inoue to come close to me and then hit him on the counter."
Inoue's dominant performance further solidifies his position as one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world. As he embarks on a new chapter in his career, the boxing world eagerly awaits his next move.
0 Comments