THE RESULT: WBA bantamweight champion Takuma Inoue completed a aggressive and entertaining struggle in Tokyo by sinking a proper uppercut into Jerwin Ancajas’ physique midway by means of spherical 9. Unable to rise, Ancajas, from the Philippines, was then stopped on the one minute and 44 seconds mark of the spherical, leading to a profitable first defence on residence soil for a jubilant Inoue.
KEY MOMENTS: Lengthy earlier than the finisher in spherical 9, there was an Inoue proper hand within the third which appeared to buckle the legs of Ancajas and signify the primary actual turning level within the struggle. Within the very subsequent spherical, nevertheless, Ancajas appeared to have returned the favour by hurting Inoue to the physique with a number of well-placed left palms thrown from the southpaw stance. That spherical specifically was a very good one for Ancajas and a reminder to Inoue that he could be higher served staying away and utilising his pace and motion. Then once more, by the top of that thrilling and frantic fourth spherical Inoue is also seen smiling; seemingly relishing that form of two-way battle.
RECORDS: Inoue, 28, strikes to 19-1 (5), whereas Ancajas, 32, drops to 34-4-2 (23).
TALKING POINT: As unfair because it maybe is to match him to his brother, it’s laborious to not when seeing Takuma Inoue within the ring. In spite of everything, in addition to sharing a obscure facial resemblance, in addition they take up related positions and stances and have a need to each entertain the followers and inflict harm on their opponent. That Takuma has to work more durable to attain the latter says extra about Naoya’s freakish punch energy than any limitations in Takuma’s recreation. Nevertheless, it’s noticeable when watching them each struggle simply how way more troublesome it’s finishing up the “Inoue fashion” when freakish punch energy is faraway from the equation. Within the case of Takuma, extra motion is required and fewer probabilities might be taken when lingering on the within. He’s additionally much less prone to deter and subsequently be capable of management an opponent the best way his brother can, so blessed is Naoya by explosive energy few need to style, a lot much less expertise for 12 rounds.
Regardless, tonight was Takuma’s evening. It was his evening to make his first world title defence and it was his evening to point out the world that he can also finish a struggle with one punch.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT: It’s secure to say that at bantamweight there are many fights for Inoue to focus on and relish. For example, fights with different belt-holders like Jason Moloney (WBO) and Emmanuel Rodriguez (IBF) would make lots sense, as would a struggle towards Junto Nakatani, who has not solely now moved to bantamweight however dazzled earlier on the identical present, stopping Alexandro Santiago in 9 rounds to safe the WBC title.
