By: Sean Cross
The monster strikes again. World bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue will face Paul Butler in an eleventh-round knockout in Tokyo on Tuesday. Even though the ring was as popular as the ban, 23-0 Inoue 34-2 Butler used a poorly executed defensive strategy, so the fight had to happen on its own. Defensive combat can be a thing of beauty – as long as it’s effective. Butler’s strategy was only effective in keeping him on his feet. At least that was the case until the final round. As for Inoue – he looks like Inoue, a man whose talent is effortless to accomplish.
Still, the reigning Hall of Fame champion took his chance and scored to finish the man off. Punch placement may be Inoue’s strongest skill, and after cutting the ring with his hand on the Englishman, he began a fusillade on the hapless Butler in the eleventh round. Sharp, powerful punches to the head and body eventually sent Butler to the mat, battered and defeated. The referee didn’t bother to finish the count as the fight was clearly over. Inoue, who entered the ring with the WBA, WBC and IBF bantamweight belts, was able to leave the ring with Foster’s WBO belt safely in hand.
However, Inoue has made his reign clear because the undisputed bantamweight champion may be short. Maybe move to 122.
