Inoue vs Butler LIVE: Result and reaction as ‘Monster’ secures late TKO
The Independent’s No 1 pound-for-pound boxer Naoya Inoue became undisputed bantamweight champion on Tuesday, stopping Paul Butler in the 11th round.
Japan’s Inoue had the home advantage at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, and he showed speed and power advantages from the early moments of the contest.
Inoue, 29, toyed with Butler, 34, before stopping the Briton with a hook to the body and a flurry of headshots in the penultimate round.
In doing so, the “Monster” stayed unbeaten and added Butler’s WBO title to his IBF, WBA and WBC belts. Next up, according to Inoue, will be a move to super-bantamweight.
Relive all the action with our blog below:
Naoya Inoue vs Paul Butler
Naoya Inoue secures 11th-round TKO against Paul Butler in Japan
Home fighter becomes undisputed bantamweight champion with win over Briton
Unbeaten Inoue targets move to super-bantamweight next
Inoue vs Butler
11:54 , Alex Pattle
Inoue vs Butler
11:53 , Alex Pattle
Inoue says he’s “really satisfied” to have gotten more rounds in than usual.
Inoue vs Butler
11:50 , Alex Pattle
Inoue says he will fight at super-bantamweight next.
Inoue vs Butler
11:50 , Alex Pattle
Inoue is undisputed bantamweight champion.
Inoue vs Butler
11:48 , Alex Pattle
Naoya Inoue def. Paul Butler via 11th-round TKO (1:09).
Inoue vs Butler
11:45 , Alex Pattle
Round 11
Into the championship rounds. Inoue gets on the front foot right away.
The crowd gets a clap going as Inoue tees off to the body of Butler.
He backs up the Briton with straight headshots. A brutal right hook to the body is followed by a flurry to the head, and Butler finally goes down!!
He covers up, crouches, then drops to the mat. He lies flat on his front, and the referee waves it off!!
Inoue stops Butler!
Inoue vs Butler
11:42 , Alex Pattle
Round 10
Butler has done well to survive, but that’s been his main intention, it almost seems.
Inoue peppers him with head shots then hurls a left hook into the ribs. Terrific stuff.
This time it’s a one-two to the head, then a hook to the body.
Butler now targets the body, but Inoue is unfazed. He backs up Butler once again and starts to land right straights.
More body work by Inoue, whose conditioning is on point.
Inoue vs Butler
11:38 , Alex Pattle
Round 9
Inoue goes after Butler. Surely he wants the finish now.
The Japanese bantamweight is light on his feet, hopping about.
He squeezes a right cross through the Briton’s guard, then puts him off balance with another right.
Inoue triples up on his jab, forcing Butler to retreat. Butler with a trio of hooks to the head, one of which gets through. Same again, this time with a body shot mixed in. These are the first real signs of life from Butler in this round.
Right hook and uppercut to the body by Inoue, then a left hook up top – inventive combination.
Inoue vs Butler
11:34 , Alex Pattle
Round 8
Butler hooks to the body off both wings, then lands a left hook to the head! One of his best moments so far.
Both men land with right hooks simultaneously! Better from Butler!
He circles away from Inoue, who is patiently stalking. Now Inoue puts his hands behind his back and smiles at Butler before darting into range and throwing shots up top!
More taunting from Inoue, who seems a tad bored.
Butler unloads hooks to the body but eats one to the head.
Inoue vs Butler
11:30 , Alex Pattle
Round 7
More taunting from Inoue, who comes forward with his chin hanging out and his hands down.
Butler accepts the invitation to attack, throwing some straight shots, but there’s just not enough on them, even when they do land.
A rapid left hook and right straight are on the money for Inoue. Now he throws a right cross to the body, then a left hook up top.
He encourages Butler to increase his offence. The Briton lands a left hook to the chest but misses the follow-up to the head.
Inoue vs Butler
11:26 , Alex Pattle
Round 6
Forward comes Inoue, before firing off hooks and straight shots – going around and through Butler’s guard.
He briefly goes southpaw before flitting back to orthodox. He leans forward, trying to invite Butler to open up. And the Briton does, catching the home fighter with two clean shots!
Inoue is taking more chances here, trying to lure Butler into a trap. A double-jab, right hand combination connects to the body of the Briton.
More body work by Inoue. Now a bit of taunting, as he hops on the spot.
Inoue vs Butler
11:22 , Alex Pattle
Round 5
Inoue is a bit more patient for now. He’s just relying on his jab and defence.
Late in the round, he begins to increase his volume and vary his offence.
He’s wearing down Butler.
Inoue vs Butler
11:19 , Alex Pattle
Round 4
Both men bounce around. Stiff right cross to the body by Inoue.
Still Butler stays light on his feet, before flicking out a hopeful jab.
Inoue gets back to the jab himself. He narrowly evades a right cross; it cannot be overstated how elite his head movement is – subtle movements to keep him out of range almost every time.
An Inoue right hook sets up a left straight. He corners Butler and unleashes hooks to the head and body!
Butler with his own hooks to the body, but his relative lack of power is evident.
Inoue ends the round with a series of jabs.
Inoue vs Butler
11:15 , Alex Pattle
Round 3
Heavy right hooks from Inoue, with Butler in the corner. Inoue goes to the same shot repeatedly, with Butler just covering up!
The Briton is able to get free, and he thinks about some offence of his own. He’s hesitant to let go, though. Soon he’s on the move once more, with Inoue pressuring him.
Inoue relies on his jab for a while, before Butler unloads his best combination so far! Decent speed and a bit of power, as Inoue covers up to absorb these strikes.
Now Inoue retaliates, backing up the WBO champion on the ropes and unloading heavier hooks to the body.
More good head movement from the Japanese boxer to evade Butler’s comeback shots, until the Briton lands a good left hook!
Inoue ends the round with a straight, four-punch combo to the head!
Inoue vs Butler
11:11 , Alex Pattle
Round 2
Inoue switches up his offence from head to body and back. He briefly waits on Butler, whose main focus has been on movement rather than output.
Inoue stalks the Briton then unloads shots to the body, then the head! A clever combination, not at full power but rather with teasing strikes. Butler with a right hand to try to get the unified champion off of him.
Again Inoue lets go, with Butler backed against the ropes. Great head movement from Inoue, too, to avoid Butler’s retaliatory combinations! A left hook is off target for Butler twice.
Inoue doesn’t exaggerate his movement; he’s always just out of range.
Inoue ends the round with a terrific combination, alternating between head and body with hooks again.
Inoue vs Butler
11:07 , Alex Pattle
Round 1
Butler is light on his feet. Inoue is shuffling back and forth. Butler flicks out a couple of jabs, but Inoue leans back to evade.
Now the Japanese fighter comes forward slowly. He then lunges into a left hook, but it’s off the mark. He stabs some jabs towards Butler – he’s so quick, it’s frightening.
A left hook connects for the home fighter. Butler is moving along the ropes with his guard up.
Inoue launches a right overhand at Butler but just misses, then sees two hooks blocked. Butler comes back with a measured combination, landing the final shot.
Inoue backs him up again, fighting behind the jab before curling hooks into the mid-section of the tourist.
Inoue picks up the volume late in the round, cornering Butler.
Inoue vs Butler
11:03 , Alex Pattle
Here we go! Main event under way!
Inoue vs Butler
11:01 , Alex Pattle
The fighter introductions are under way.
Inoue vs Butler
10:54 , Alex Pattle
Inoue has taken his time, but he’s finally in the ring! We’ll have national anthems next.
Inoue vs Butler
10:53 , Alex Pattle
Now here comes Inoue!
Inoue vs Butler
10:49 , Alex Pattle
“Eye Of The Tiger” gives way to “Weekend In Paradise” by Jamie Webster.
Inoue vs Butler
10:48 , Alex Pattle
Paul Butler is out first! He emerges to a version of “Eye Of The Tiger” by Survivor.
Inoue vs Butler
10:41 , Alex Pattle
Ring walks are moments away...
Inoue vs Butler
10:40 , Alex Pattle
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”
Inoue vs Butler
10:32 , Alex Pattle
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:
Naoya Inoue blasts past Nonito Donaire with early KO to collect WBC bantamweight belt
Inoue vs Butler
10:31 , Alex Pattle
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:
The Independent’s pound-for-pound boxing rankings
Inoue vs Butler
10:28 , Alex Pattle
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:
Fearless Paul Butler journeys to Japan to hunt ‘Monster’ Naoya Inoue
Inoue vs Butler
10:21 , Alex Pattle
Hiraoka stays unbeaten with another finish! Next up: the main event...
It’s Naoya Inoue vs Paul Butler to crown an undisputed bantamweight champion!
Inoue vs Butler
10:20 , Alex Pattle
Andy Hiraoka def. Mo Hin Jung via eighth-round TKO (2:07).
Inoue vs Butler
10:17 , Alex Pattle
Hiraoka vs Jung – Round 8
A rapid right cross lands for Jung, whose follow-up hook is a bit sloppy.
Hiraoka walks down his opponent, who fires off a right straight but eats a left hook at the same time.
Beautiful left uppercut from Hiraoka as he steps back! Jung falls back into the ropes and onto his backside!!
He stands and beats the referee’s count, but he’s soon put down again! It’s another brutal left hand from Hiraoka – this time a left hook!!
The referee waves it off, he’s seen enough!
Inoue vs Butler
10:13 , Alex Pattle
Hiraoka vs Jung – Round 7
Into the second half of this fight. A sharp jab is on the mark for Hiraoka.
Hiroaka briefly corners Jung, who circles away. Hiraoka is cutting off the ring well, though, and he closes distance with a heavy left hook.
Jung blocks the worst of it, then tries to keep his opponent at bay with a few jabs.
Both fighters trade shots simultaneously, before Jung takes a knee.
Inoue vs Butler
10:09 , Alex Pattle
Hiraoka vs Jung – Round 6
Jung lunges in, off the mat almost, and is caught with an uppercut below the belt. That’s kind of Jung’s own fault to be honest!
We’re back underway after a brief pause in the action, and the crowd picks up the noise after some gesturing from Jung.
Jung lands a one-two upstairs, before Hiraoka fires back. Now Jung catches Hiraoka on the end of a long, straight punch.
Jung grazes Hiraoka with a left hook. He’s getting a bit too square, though, as he unloads shots.
Hiraoka pumps out a jab then curls a left hook onto the chin of Jung.
Inoue vs Butler
10:04 , Alex Pattle
Hiraoka vs Jung – Round 5
A short left cross tags Jung in the face, sending sweat flying. He was mid-punch himself but ends up off target.
He steps into another left hand from Hiraoka, who looks to be growing in confidence.
Jung wings a right hook, which is just wide of the mark but full of power. Another winging hook from Jung, who was using his outstretched right hand as a decoy, but the hook is off the mark.
A left cross snaps back Jung’s head! Now Hiraoka catches him with a jab.
Hiraoka corners the South Korean, who circles into space.
Inoue vs Butler
10:01 , Alex Pattle
Hiraoka vs Jung – Round 4
A clean one-two lands to the head of Jung! It immediately reddens the South Korean’s face.
He fires back with a right cross, but Hiraoka blocks it. Jung misses with a hook; Hiraoka misses with an uppercut that has a lot of velocity on it…
The fighters trade jabs, before Hiraoka just misses another uppercut as his opponent charges into range.
Hiraoka backs up Jung, who slips a couple of times as he looks to get away.
Inoue vs Butler
09:56 , Alex Pattle
Hiraoka vs Jung – Round 3
Jung flicks out a jab then a wide hook. He’s been the more active fighter, but he’s still not landing all that effectively.
Hiraoka backs up his opponent, then invites a counter shot… Hiraoka pivots away and drops Jung to a knee with a short left hand!
Jung beats the referee’s count and lunges at Hiraoka once more. He’s looking to end the round positively.
Inoue vs Butler
09:52 , Alex Pattle
Hiraoka vs Jung – Round 2
Both fighters remain patient, until Jung surges forward with a combination. It’s a tad messy, and he stumbles as he throws it.
Now Hiraoka marches forward but still without much output. He gradually starts to throw more jabs, but they’re solitary shots, spaced out.
Jung fires back, landing a couple of jabs of his own. Hiraoka targets the body.
Inoue vs Butler
09:48 , Alex Pattle
Hiraoka vs Jung – Round 1
Both men are light on their feet to start this one, with their lead hands extended.
Each fighter flicks out a couple of jabs as range-finders, with Hiraoka soon aiming for the body.
Hiraoka presses forward subtly, though both fighters are a little hesitant to throw so far.
Hiraoka does connect with a snapping jab, before he’s blasted with a clean cross! Hiraoka now lands a sneaky uppercut.
Inoue vs Butler
09:45 , Alex Pattle
Here we go, Hiraoka vs Jung is under way!
Inoue vs Butler
09:41 , Alex Pattle
Meanwhile, Jung is 13-3-2 with three knockout wins. The South Korean is an orthodox fighter.
Inoue vs Butler
09:40 , Alex Pattle
Home fighter Hiraoka is 21-0 as a pro, with 16 knockouts to his name.
A great reaction for the southpaw in Tokyo!
Inoue vs Butler
09:24 , Alex Pattle
Two fights left to come: Andy Hiraoka vs Min Ho Jung at super-lightweight, then the main event between bantamweight champions Naoya Inoue and Paul Butler!
Inoue vs Butler
09:22 , Alex Pattle
Takei vs Tarimo – Round 11
Two rounds to go. More chasing from Tarimo. Takei seems content just to avoid taking unnecessary risks or damage.
Now he unfurls a stinging uppercut as he’s backed up!
While chasing Takei, Tarimo literally grabs his opponent around the waist and drags him to the mat.
The fighters stand, and Tarimo resumes his chase. We’ll have a pause in the action as a doctor checks on Tarimo’s right eye, which is swollen and absorbing blood from a cut just above it…
And the fight is waved off!! Takei gets the win!
Inoue vs Butler
09:18 , Alex Pattle
Takei vs Tarimo – Round 10
A counter right hook is on target for Takei as Tarimo hunts him down.
Tarimo is chasing Takei rather than cutting off the ring – a crucial difference.
A left hook clips Tarimo, then a straight one-two up top. Now Takei throws a one-two to the body.
Takei then gets on his bike, running around the ring.
Inoue vs Butler
09:14 , Alex Pattle
Takei vs Tarimo – Round 9
Tarimo’s coach has suggested that his fighter needs a stoppage, which is probably a fair assessment. Four rounds for Tarimo to get the finish!
“Don’t let him breathe, Bruno!” shouts Tarimo’s coach in his gristly Australian accent.
Takei flings two hooks to the body, though the second is low, and he’s warned by the referee.
The fighters now exchange hooks to the head. They then grapple, with Tarimo briefly putting Takei in a headlock!
Inoue vs Butler
09:10 , Alex Pattle
Takei vs Tarimo – Round 8
Again Tarimo gets physical, weighing on Takei and squeezing an uppercut through his opponent’s guard.
Takei is starting to look a little more worn down, sporting more damage to the face and moving a little more slowly.
Grazing shots from Tarimo in the corner.
Inoue vs Butler
09:05 , Alex Pattle
Takei vs Tarimo – Round 7
This is the furthest that former kickboxer Takei has ever gone in a professional boxing contest.
He still looks to be in decent condition. Forward comes Tarimo, who eats a one-two for his trouble.
More grappling before the referee separates the super-bantamweights.
A lovely check hook is on the money for Takei. Tarimo lands his own left hook in close, before leaning on Takei on the ropes.
Inoue vs Butler
09:01 , Alex Pattle
Takei vs Tarimo – Round 6
We’re approaching the halfway mark in this contest. Takei misses with a counter left hook.
Tarimo backs him up and targets the body, but Takei comes back with two harsh hooks. Now an uppercut.
Tarimo’s coach is still urging him forward, but Takei seems to be comfortable relying on counters, even if he can’t quite plant his feet; it may be worth Tarimo changing tack and seeing how Takei fares coming forward himself.
The fighters grapple, and Tarimo fires off short shots to the body of Takei. The clinch has been the space in which Tarimo has done his best work.
After they separate, Takei peppers Tarimo with a one-two while moving backwards.
Inoue vs Butler
08:57 , Alex Pattle
Takei vs Tarimo – Round 5
Tarimo gets behind his jab, doubling it up. A sharp shot lands for him.
Now a grazing left hook. Takei is still being forced to rely on counter strikes.
Tarimo’s nose is pretty swollen by now.
Inoue vs Butler
08:53 , Alex Pattle
Takei vs Tarimo – Round 4
Again Tarimo’s coach urges him to press forward.
A cut counter uppercut lands for Takei, who is getting tired according to Tarimo’s coach. I’m not entirely sure that’s true...
Now Tarimo lands a solid uppercut! Takei is constantly moving laterally.
Tarimo’s coach asks him to target the chest of Takei.
A big left hook lands for Takei late in the round!
Inoue vs Butler
08:50 , Alex Pattle
Takei vs Tarimo – Round 3
This contest is being fought at such a frantic pace. Both fighters are constantly moving at such a speed, and – with Tarimo largely on the front foot – Takei isn’t quite settled with his footwork.
Again the fighters grapple, with Tarimo getting off more shots in close. They separate, and a left hand wobbles Tarimo!
He’s able to regain his senses quickly, and he soon holds Takei. Once they separate, Tarimo comes forward, crouching and throwing teasing uppercuts.
He still seems a tad out of sorts, though.
Now Takei is backed up on the ropes, with Tarimo swinging hooks to the body.
Inoue vs Butler
08:45 , Alex Pattle
Takei vs Tarimo – Round 2
We pick up where we left off, with the super-bantamweights wrestling each other to the ground. They stand, and Tarimo presses forward aggressively. Takei is looking for counter shots.
Tarimo catches him with a short counter right of his own, however. Tarimo backs up Takei and targets the body, before Takei lands a clean uppercut with his back on the ropes! Tarimo’s coach has been so vocal throughout.
Now two counter right hooks connect for Takei! Tarimo is undeterred, however. The fighters clinch, with Tarimo getting off a right hook in close.
Inoue vs Butler
08:41 , Alex Pattle
Takei vs Tarimo – Round 1
Former kickboxer Takei comes out in a southpaw stance. He’s snapping a jab at Tarimo’s guard early on. Now he adds a couple of left crosses.
Takei lunges in, feinting with a jab but looping a left uppercut into the ribs of Tarimo. Now Tarimo backs up his opponent, launching a right cross that cuts Takei above his left eye!
However, he’s caught with a counter shot from Takei in the process, and Tarimo stumbles. Tarimo gets a standing count, and once the action resumes, he’s knocked down by a flurry from Takei!
He stands, again beating the official’s count, and his trainer urges him to press forward… which leads to a clash of heads and brief pause in the round.
Back under way, and Tarimo staggers Takei with a hard, short right hand! Tarimo goes after Takei, who grapples him, and the pair fall to the mat together to end the round.
Inoue vs Butler
08:37 , Alex Pattle
Takei vs Tarimo, here we go!
Inoue vs Butler
08:35 , Alex Pattle
Next up: Yoshiki Takei vs Bruno Tarimo in a super-bantamweight contest!
Inoue vs Butler
08:34 , Alex Pattle
As we wait for the next fight to begin, here is Steve Bunce’s preview of today’s 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:
Fearless Paul Butler journeys to Japan to hunt ‘Monster’ Naoya Inoue
Inoue vs Butler
08:27 , Alex Pattle
Welcome to our live coverage of Inoue vs Butler!
Naoya Inoue’s younger brother Takuma has just secured a featherweight win over Jake Bornea, stopping him with a body shot in Round 8!
Inoue vs Butler
08:23 , Alex Pattle
The Independent’s pound-for-pound No 1 boxer Naoya Inoue will square off with Paul Butler today, as the bantamweight title holders clash to crown an undisputed champion.
Japan’s Inoue will have the home advantage at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, and the 29-year-old enters this fight with an unbeaten record to his name – 23-0 with 20 knockouts.
Meanwhile, Briton Butler is 34-2 (15 KOs) as a pro, and he puts his WBO title on the line here while bidding to take the IBF, WBA and WBC belts from his opponent.
The pair meet in a main-event contest, and we’ll have live updates from that fight as well as the undercard.
