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.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
GenSan Is Our Version of Los Mochis - The City of Boxing Champions
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 05 Sep 2025Iglesias vs. Shishkin: Unsigned Hype
By Chris Carlson, Fri, 05 Sep 2025EDDIE HEARN PROVIDES AJ UPDATE AS PAT McCORMACK NAMES THE BIG FIGHT HE WANTS NEXT IN NEW MATCHROOM BOXING PODCAST
Fri, 05 Sep 2025Team USA’s Path to Gold Set at 2025 World Boxing Championships in Liverpool
Fri, 05 Sep 2025DACS signs up with Amesco Drug
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 05 Sep 2025India’s Monika Singh Battles Aliya Soomro of Pakistan for UBO Youth World 108 in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 04 Sep 2025TEENAGE KICKS: WONDERKIDS LEO ATANG, ADAM MACA AND TIAH-MAI AYTON ARE READY TO LIGHT UP SUNDERLAND THIS SATURDAY
Thu, 04 Sep 2025150 to join Rotary Heritage Aquathlon
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 04 Sep 2025Miguel Berchelt to Return in Reynosa, Tamaulipas; WBC Praises City’s Commitment
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 04 Sep 2025Spicing up “Thrilla” card
By Joaquin Henson, Thu, 04 Sep 2025SATURDAY: Oscar Valdez vs. Ricky Medina to be Broadcast LIVE on ESPN Deportes in the United States
Thu, 04 Sep 2025SUGAR NUNEZ: I’M JUST GETTING STARTED
Thu, 04 Sep 2025Jennifer Lozano’s Targets Run at 2025 World Boxing Championships
Thu, 04 Sep 2025University of the Philippines is Quezon City chess champ
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 04 Sep 2025Ultimate Arm Wrestling Showdown on Sept. 7 in Digos
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 04 Sep 2025