Naoya Inoue (16-0-0, 14 KO’s) produced a scintillating performance as he destroyed Britain’s Jamie McDonnell (29-3-1, 13 KO’s) inside one round in Tokyo, Japan to claim the WBA World bantamweight title.
The Japanese sensation exploded out of the blocks early as he ripped a savage left hook to the mid-section of McDonnell inside the first minute that appeared to momentarily stun the champion.
Despite holding a rumoured 13lbs weight advantage, McDonnell was unable to keep his barnstorming opponent off of him, who piled forward and caught him high on the head with another pulverising left hook.
McDonnell would be sent crashing to the canvas moments later following another brutal body shot, and despite bravely dragging himself to his feet, was spared further punishment from the referee with Inoue following up and landing at will.
It was a haunting performance from ‘The Monster’, who claimed his third World title in just sixteen fights and sent out a formidable warning sign to the rest of the bantamweight division with a clinical, destructive performance.