Naoya Inoue vs Luis Nery 06.05.2024

Greatest Boxing — Mon, 06 May 2024 22:59:26 +0000

In a night packed with pageantry, punches, and raw power, Naoya “The Monster” Inoue delivered a spectacle worthy of the 55,000 fans who roared inside the Tokyo Dome — the same venue that once saw Buster Douglas topple Mike Tyson. On Monday night, it was Inoue who reaffirmed his reign, climbing off the canvas to demolish Luis Nery in six electrifying rounds to retain his undisputed super bantamweight crown.

For the first time in his glittering, unbeaten career, Inoue tasted the canvas after a blistering counter left from Nery in the opening round. But if the Mexican challenger thought he’d ignited a historic upset, the fire he lit in Inoue only burned brighter.

The undefeated pound-for-pound king bounced back with venom in the second, returning the favour with a punishing counter left hook that floored Nery. From there, Inoue orchestrated a masterclass in controlled aggression, systematically dismantling his opponent with a blend of speed, precision, and raw finishing power.

Nery, a former two-weight world champion, fought valiantly but was clearly outgunned. He hit the deck again in round five and was saved by the bell, but the end was inevitable. In the sixth, Inoue unleashed a thunderous right hand that nearly launched Nery through the ropes, forcing the referee to wave off the fight at 1:22.

It was a devastating finale in a fight that had begun with genuine jeopardy — a reminder that even the greats can be caught, but only the elite rise and dominate. Inoue’s record now stands at a pristine 27-0 with 24 knockouts, as he notched his 22nd world title victory exactly a decade after winning his first.

The evening was as much about spectacle as sport. Inoue’s entrance was a rock concert in boxing gloves, sound tracked by Tomoyasu Hotei’s iconic “Battle Without Honour or Humanity,” as fireworks lit up the Dome. The energy was electric, the expectations massive — and Inoue delivered on all fronts.

Having already cleared out the division, the future remains uncertain for Inoue. But after another ruthless display, the question isn’t whether he’s the best at 122 pounds — it’s whether anyone, anywhere, can stop the Monster.

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In a highly anticipated showdown at the Fox Theatre on Saturday night, Luis Nery emerged victorious in a thrilling 11th-round knockout against Azat Hovhannisyan. The bout, a WBC junior featherweight title elimination clash, exceeded the high expectations set by fans and media alike, delivering relentless action from start to finish.

Nery, hailing from Tijuana, Mexico, improved his record to 34-1 with 26 knockouts, methodically breaking down Hovhannisyan before a lively and supportive crowd. The fight’s intense pace was evident from the second round, as both fighters unleashed a flurry of punches, setting the tone for the high-volume exchanges that followed.

By the third round, Nery’s relentless offense began to show its effects on Hovhannisyan, causing noticeable swelling around both of his eyes. Despite the damage, Hovhannisyan fought back valiantly, connecting with punches that Nery quickly countered with sharp combinations. The battle continued with Hovhannisyan pressing Nery against the ropes in the fourth round, landing a barrage of punches to the head. Hovhannisyan was so eager to fight in round five he forgot his mouthpiece.

As the fight progressed into the middle rounds, Nery’s accuracy and power began to take a toll on Hovhannisyan. A cut opened up along Hovhannisyan’s right eye, and blood started trickling from his nose. Despite the injuries, Hovhannisyan continued to press forward, targeting Nery’s body with powerful shots.

The seventh round featured electrifying exchanges, but Nery’s punches seemed more effective, gradually wearing down his resilient opponent. In the eighth round, Hovhannisyan briefly regained momentum with a series of right hands that caught Nery’s attention.

However, the punishment accumulated by Hovhannisyan began to show. Late in the 10th round, Nery dropped Hovhannisyan with a combination, though he managed to beat the count and continued fighting until the bell.

The 11th round saw Hovhannisyan launching an aggressive attack, but Nery responded with a sudden barrage that stunned his opponent. Referee Ray Corona stepped in to halt the bout at 1:51, securing Nery’s knockout victory.

Hovhannisyan, originally from Yerevan, Armenia, and now residing in Los Angeles, saw his record fall to 21-4 with 17 knockouts. The 34-year-old fighter had previously won seven consecutive fights before Saturday’s bout.

This victory solidifies Nery’s status as a top contender, setting the stage for an exciting future in the 122-pound division.

The fight was worthy of the Ring Magazine’s Fight of the Year.

Luis Nery Archives - Greatest Boxing

Naoya Inoue vs Luis Nery 06.05.2024

Luis Nery vs Azat Hovhannisyan 18.02.2023