Naoya Inoue stole the show yet again on Monday with yet another devastating performance to KO Luis Nery.
The incomparable Inoue (now 27-0) recovered from suffering the first knockdown of his brilliant pro career to provide three of his own. The final one of that trifecta closed the show with a highlight-reel finish in Round 6.
More than 55,000 fans were on hand to pack out the Tokyo Dome in Japan, and the adoring masses got just what they wanted – a virtuoso performance from ‘The Monster’.
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Inoue showed yet again the bewildering array of skills to outspeed, outpunch and finally beat down the brave Nery (35-2). And yet again he made the case for taking the top spot on boxing’s P4P list. Right now he is #2 behind welterweight king Terence Crawford on The Ring list.
Inoue vs Nery stats
Once the dust had settled in Tokyo, it was time to check out the punch stats from Compubox. And what they gave us was another insight into the greatness of Inoue. Quantity AND quality in terms of punches thrown, both power and jabs.
Round 1
A 10-8 session for Nery courtesy of the left hook which planted Inoue on his back for the first time in the paid ranks, was a slow start for Naoya. Mainly thanks to the punch midway through the session which really derailed him. It was his worst round of the entire night as he landed just 8/24 punches while Nery scored with 15 of 52 shots.
Round 2
Inoue came roaring back after recovering quickly from the knockdown between rounds. He was absolutely on the money, landing with 21 of 37 shots (56.8%) – including the left hook that dropped Nery for the first time. Luis in comparison was becalmed, struggling to get to Inoue and stop the barrage of accurate jabs and power shots coming his way. He landed with just 4/20 punches (20%).
Round 3
Inoue was again dominant, once more mixing in piercing jabs, straight right hands and hooks to gradually start breaking down Nery. He landed with 19/37 punches (51.4%) with Nery managing to come back with just 7/31 (22.6%). Inoue was also now showing smart defence as well as potent attacking power.
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Round 4
A brutal session from Inoue, who really put a dent in Nery with his best punch output of the fight in terms of shots landed. He was on the money with 26/53 (49.1%) and Nery was really starting to feel the pace. The Mexican puncher was trying best he could to keep pace, but it was a thankless task. His numbers were 8/27 (29.6%).
Round 5
Inoue’s second worst round of the fight in terms of percentage of shots landed (33.9%) but there was a reason for that. He was really upping the workrate in the clear knowledge that Nery was starting to break down. He landed 21 of 62 punches, including the beautiful short left hook off the ropes which had Luis down for the second time on the night.
Round 6
The round in which it all ended, with Inoue blasting out Nery with a peach of a right hand with 1:22 on the clock. Including that highlight-reel final shot, he landed 12 of 26 (46.2%) including a number of power shots. Nery meanwhile had little left, carding 6/16 for 37.5%.
Total Punch Stats
This was a study in accuracy and power from Inoue – pinpoint in every sense. Overall he landed 107 of 239 punches at a terrific rate of 44.8%. He hit home with 45/112 jabs and a brutal 62 power shots from 127 thrown. Spectacular yet again.
Nery meanwhile, after that fast start, was in survival mode for most of the night. He was 54/194 in terms of total punches thrown. That number broke down to 20/70 jabs and 34/124 power shots.
