NAOYA INOUE retained his undisputed super-bantamweight championship with a performance that fused discipline with daring, outpointing Murodjon Akhmadaliev over 12 rounds at the IG Arena in Nagoya.
On paper, the Uzbek southpaw was supposed to be one of Inoue’s toughest tests to date. Patient, experienced, and eager after waiting years for his opportunity, Akhmadaliev arrived with the reputation of being a puzzle even “The Monster” might struggle to solve. Instead, he became the latest challenger to discover just how wide the gap is between Inoue and the rest of the field.
This was a different version of the champion compared to his recent displays of recklessness. Inoue, (31-0, 27 KOs), mixed poise with provocation – baiting Akhmadaliev into overcommitting, then punishing him with whipcracking shots. Every time Akhmadaliev found a glimmer of hope, Inoue’s blurring speed and spiteful accuracy erased it.
Inoue’s dominance became clear in the fifth when he strung together a thudding combination capped with a left hook. Akhmadaliev answered with his own bursts, but more often than not his punches sailed by, leaving Inoue to dictate the narrative. By the seventh, the Japanese star was gliding in and out of range, orchestrating the action with the authority of a conductor. His footwork was balletic, his timing surgical.
The ninth saw another breathtaking flourish as Inoue unleashed a three-punch salvo that left Akhmadaliev, (14-2, 11 KOs), bloodied and battling to stay in the fight. Punches rained from every angle, the crowd left wowed at the sheer variety of artillery. Yet the Uzbek’s resilience was unshakable; his chin and spirit kept him in the fight long after others might have folded.
Akhmadaliev’s best moment came at the very end. With seconds left in round 12, he uncorked a huge right hand that made its mark on Inoue – a reminder that even the seemingly untouchable can be caught. But it was too little, too late. The judges’ scorecards read unanimously for Inoue, underlining a masterclass rather than a close contest.
On a weekend that featured its share of standout performances, Inoue once again elevated himself close to the best – maybe he is the best. It will take someone extraordinary – not just very good – to strip the phenom of his crown. For now, ‘The Monster’ remains king.
