Inoue Stats

Naoya Inoue Retains Undisputed Super Bantamweight Title

9th-Round Knockout Victory Over Stephen Fulton

Background

Naoya Inoue, widely regarded as one of the top boxers in the world, entered the July 2023 fight against Stephen Fulton holding the WBA (Super), IBF, and Ring magazine super bantamweight titles. Fulton, on the other hand, possessed the WBC and WBO belts.

The Fight

The highly anticipated bout lived up to its billing, with both fighters showcasing their impressive skills. Inoue, known for his aggressive style and powerful punches, dominated the early rounds. Fulton, a slick boxer with quick reflexes, managed to stay competitive in the middle rounds, but Inoue's relentless pressure proved too much to handle.

In the 9th round, Inoue landed a devastating left hook that sent Fulton crashing to the canvas. Fulton attempted to get up but was unable to beat the referee's count, handing Inoue a resounding victory by knockout.

Significance

Inoue's victory marked the first time he had defended his IBF, WBA, and Ring magazine belts, which he won in 2019. By adding the WBC and WBO titles to his collection, Inoue became the undisputed super bantamweight champion, further solidifying his status as the dominant force in the division.

Future Prospects

Following his impressive display, Inoue expressed interest in moving up to the featherweight division, where he could challenge for even more world titles. With his exceptional talent and unwavering determination, Inoue is poised to continue making history in the boxing world.