Photo by Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP via Getty Images

By Shawn De Guzman

Japanese superstar Naoya Inoue stamped his class and retained his undisputed crown in the super bantamweight division after beating compatriot and fellow pound-for-pound fighter Junto Nakatani via unanimous decision at the Tokyo Dome on Saturday.

The 33-year-old fighter was nothing short of methodical in the contest that saw him dictate most of the rounds behind the undoubtedly superior speed and firepower.

Inoue kept the World Boxing Council, World Boxing Association, World Boxing Organization, International Boxing Federation, and The Ring belts after coming out on top with the judges scoring the bout 116-112, 115-113, and 116-112.

Inoue remained undefeated through 33 fights with 27 knockouts while Nakatani absorbed his first taste of defeat after winning his first 32 bouts.

“I just did everything that I had to do,” said Inoue.

And he did it in style.

In fact, he was surgical in the opening rounds, mixing it up as he goes for the head and the body of Nakatani. The challenger was left waiting for the right timing to detonate a signature counter left but the champion was too quick going in and out of his range.

Things took a turn in the middle rounds when Nakatani, although still a bit too cautious, began to let go of his punches. But the effort looked futile against Inoue who was growing more confident with his speed and punches, landing fast jabs and big combinations.

Nakatani was informed that he was trailing in the contest and began making his moves — most notably in Round 9 and 10 when he was the one putting the pressure on Inoue. 

A nasty cut above the right eye did not stop Nakatani as he staggered Inoue with a big left and a slick combination just seconds after. 

But Inoue easily regained control with an emphatic 11th round where he nailed a booming upper cut that stopped Nakatani from his tracks. Nakatani slowed down from there and Inoue reasserted his might with big hits.