Naoya Inoue Outclasses Junto Nakatani by Unanimous Decision at Tokyo Dome

Naoya Inoue celebrates his unanimous decision victory over Junto Nakatani at Tokyo Dome.

(@daznboxing)

TOKYO, Japan — In front of 55,000 witnesses at the Tokyo Dome, Naoya "The Monster" Inoue did what he has always done. He imposed his will, broke down his opponent piece by piece, and reminded the world why he sits alone at the top of boxing's pound-for-pound rankings. Inoue defeated Junto Nakatani by unanimous decision Saturday night, with judges scoring it 116-112, 116-112, and 115-113 to retain his undisputed super bantamweight championship.

It was a tactical masterpiece. Two elite fighters, both entering unbeaten at 32-0, spent the early rounds setting traps and measuring distance in a chess match worthy of the historic stage. Through the first six rounds, Inoue controlled the pace but Nakatani made him work for every inch, the younger man's southpaw stance and physical advantages keeping the fight competitive. Through six rounds the fight was close, with Inoue holding a narrow edge.

Then round seven changed the fight's complexion.

Inoue began to assert himself in ways that only he can. The body work came with more intent. The angles sharpened. What made it remarkable was the manner in which it unfolded - at times, Inoue appeared to be toying with his opponent. Nakatani is five years younger, three inches taller, and one of the finest fighters of his generation. And The Monster was toying with him. That is the level Inoue is operating at.

Nakatani refused to fold. Round nine saw him dig deep and push the pace, landing combinations in an effort to wrestle momentum back and keep the judges honest. The crowd of 55,000 roared with every exchange. This was not a one-sided affair - Nakatani was landing, pressing, competing. He simply could not solve the puzzle in front of him.

Round ten delivered the kind of sustained action that great fights are made of, both men stepping on the gas simultaneously. It was also the round that changed the complexion of the final stretch. An accidental headbutt opened a cut on Nakatani, disrupting his rhythm at a critical moment and allowing Inoue to seize control down the stretch.

But it was round eleven that brought the Tokyo Dome to its feet. Inoue turned it on in spectacular fashion, showing precisely why he is champion. He brought a combination of speed, power, timing and ring intelligence that no fighter at this weight has been able to consistently handle. The building was electric.