Inoue Retains WBA Bantamweight Title in Hard-Fought Battle Against Ishida
Takuma Inoue, the WBA bantamweight champion, overcame a slow start to retain his title in a grueling battle against veteran challenger Sho Ishida at the Tokyo Dome.
The champion, Inoue (20-1, 5 KOs), was dropped by a left hand from Ishida (34-4, 17 KOs) early in the first round, struggling to find his range against the taller opponent. However, Inoue regained his composure in the third round, pulling Ishida inside and dominating at close quarters with his right uppercut.
“Inoue regained his composure in the third round, pulling Ishida inside and dominating at close quarters with his right uppercut.”
Inoue began to land powerful combinations, including a crunching left to the body, as Ishida’s nose started to bleed from the relentless assault. The champion’s control of the fight became increasingly evident, and despite some late resistance from the challenger, Inoue emerged victorious with scores of 118-109, 118-109, and 116-111.
This was Inoue’s second successful title defense, having previously beaten Liborio Solis and Jerwin Ancajas. Ishida, the WBA’s number one-ranked bantamweight, was making his second bid for a world title, having lost to Kal Yafai in 2017.
Inoue’s only career defeat came against Frenchman Nordine Oubaali in 2019, but the 28-year-old Japanese fighter proved his mettle with a gritty performance to retain his championship belt.
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