Inoue vs Butler LIVE: Result and reaction as ‘Monster’ secures late TKO

The fighter introductions are under way.

Inoue has taken his time, but he’s finally in the ring! We’ll have national anthems next.

Now here comes Inoue!

“Eye Of The Tiger” gives way to “Weekend In Paradise” by Jamie Webster.

Paul Butler is out first! He emerges to a version of “Eye Of The Tiger” by Survivor.

Ring walks are moments away...

Here is the tale of the tape:

Naoya Inoue

Age: 29

Fighting out of: Japan

Stance: Orthodox

Height: 5ft5in

Reach: 67.5in

Pro record: 23-0 (20 knockouts)

Last fight: Stopped Nonito Donaire in Round 2 in June

Titles: IBF, WBA and WBC bantamweight belts

Nickname: “Monster”

Paul Butler

Age: 34

Fighting out of: Britain

Stance: Orthodox

Height: 5ft6in

Reach: 65in

Pro record: 34-2 (15 KOs)

Last fight: Beat Jonas Sultan via unanimous decision in April

Titles: WBO bantamweight belt

Nickname: “Baby-Faced Assassin”

And here’s our report from Inoue’s last fight, in which he stopped Nonito Donaire in the second round in June, three years after narrowly outpointing the veteran:

Steve mentioned there that some deem Inoue to be the best boxer in the world. Well, he’s No 1 in our pound-for-pound rankings. Here’s what we have to say about him:

“One of the lesser-known names on this list to the more casual fan, the Japanese does not lack in prowess what he may lack in profile.

“Inoue has the best stoppage percentage of any fighter on this list, part of what makes him such an exciting fighter to watch – along with his effortless evasiveness, brutal body attacks, and frightening level of output. Most recently, the ‘Monster’ lived up to his nickname once more by eviscerating Nonito Donaire in a rematch in June, having narrowly outpointed the Filipino in their first fight.

“With that second victory over Donaire, Inoue added the WBC belt to his collection of bantamweight titles, and he also surged to the top of this list from No 5.

“At 29, the WBA, WBC and IBF title holder – who has also held gold in two other weight classes – has plenty left ahead of him.”

Full pound-for-pound list here:

As Inoue tries to become the first Asian fighter to hold four belts in one division simultaneously, check out Steve Bunce’s preview of the main event:

“Paul Butler is a fearless little boxer for accepting the challenge and fighting Naoya Inoue in Japan on Tuesday. Butler is also a reigning world champion.

“Inoue is known as the “Monster”, a fighter capable of ruining the very best and making it look so easy. He enjoys the finish a bit too much, to be honest.

“Butler held his first version of the world title back in 2014, the same year that Inoue won the first of his world titles. Both were, in fairness, novices.

“Since then, Inoue has won world titles at two different weights and won 17 consecutive world title fights; so far, just two men have survived the distance with Inoue in world title fights. Some consider him the best boxer in the world. Butler’s career has not followed such a smooth and impressive path since the night he won the IBF bantamweight title in 2014.”

Full article here: