Target Practice: Inoue Pounds a Retreating Butler All Night Until Butler Falls in the 11th
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 13 Dec 2022
The Japanese 'Monster' Naoya Inoue became Asia's first four-belt undisputed champion by knocking out Paul Butler of England in the 11th round at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan Tuesday night. Inoue is now the sole bantamweight king with the WBC, WBA, WBO, IBF and Ring belts tucked his waist.
Inoue made Butler a target practice but Butler made himself an elusive moving target by putting his hands on high guard and running all over the ring round after round. Apparently, Butler's plan was to survive Inoue's onslaught and end the fight on his two feet. Inoue, a little bit frustrated in the latter rounds, tried every trick to make Butler engage and open up including putting his hands behind his back and letting himself exposed within striking distance of Butler but the Englishman would not take any chances.
Even then Butler has been on the receiving end from Inoue's punishing body shots and crushing head blows as the rounds progressed. Probably sensing a weakened Butler, Inoue came in strong and fast in the 11th round pounding the WBO champion with lethal head and body shots. Butler, with his hands still covering his head, finally fall to the blue canvas like a tree that is being cut. Butler tried to beat the count but fell down again flat on his back.
Inoue has upped his undefeated record to 24 wins with 21 knockouts. Butler absorbed his third loss in 37 fights with 15 knockouts.
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