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Naoya Inoue Continues His Reign of Terror with a Stunning Fourth-Round KO in Tokyo
Earlier today in Tokyo, Japan, unified 122-pound king Naoya Inoue, known as “The Monster,” further cemented his reputation as one of boxing’s most electrifying fighters. Facing late replacement Ye Joon Kim, Inoue displayed his signature combination of patience and explosiveness, scoring yet another highlight-reel knockout.
Kim, stepping in as a southpaw challenger, showed grit and confidence early on, even waving Inoue forward in a gutsy display of defiance during the fourth round. But Inoue’s clinical precision and devastating power proved too much. A perfectly executed one-two combination—a stiff left jab followed by a thunderous right hand—sent Kim crashing into the ropes and down for the count. The referee waved it off with 46 seconds remaining in the fourth round.
Inoue’s Dominance: 29-0 with 26 KOs
With this victory, Inoue improves his flawless record to 29-0, with a staggering 26 of those wins coming by knockout. Kim, who had never been stopped in his career prior to today, drops to 21-2-2 (13 KOs). The Korean fighter came in determined, even proclaiming pre-fight that he was going to “crush” Inoue. However, Inoue, as he often does, maintained his composure, took his time analyzing his opponent, and delivered a ruthless finish when the opportunity arose.
At 30 years old, Inoue appears to be at the absolute peak of his powers. His performance today was a masterclass in controlled aggression. After a few rounds of feeling out his opponent, the Japanese superstar flipped the switch in round four, showcasing why he’s widely regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet.
What’s Next for “The Monster”?
The question now is: Who can stop Naoya Inoue? Having essentially cleaned out the 122-pound division, the options for legitimate challengers are few and far between. A potential unification bout with Murodjon Akhmadaliev remains intriguing, but it’s hard to see anyone at super bantamweight posing a serious threat.
A move up to featherweight seems inevitable if Inoue is to find new challenges. However, before that happens, fans may get to witness a Japanese super fight against Junto Nakatani, a rising star currently campaigning at bantamweight. Such a matchup would undoubtedly captivate the Japanese boxing scene and add another thrilling chapter to Inoue’s legacy.
A Fighter for the Ages
There’s also talk of Inoue fighting three times in 2025, with his quick and dominant performance today leaving the door open for a short turnaround. Few fighters possess Inoue’s combination of skill, power, and mental sharpness, and his ability to dismantle opponents with such ease has fans around the world marveling at his greatness.
For now, the boxing world can only sit back and appreciate the brilliance of Naoya Inoue. Whether he stays at 122 pounds or ventures into the featherweight division, one thing is certain: watching “The Monster” in action is witnessing something truly special. The question remains: Can anyone stop him? For the time being, the answer seems to be a resounding no.
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