In the main event of the double world title bill, WBC light-flyweight No. 4 contender Naoya Inoue (Ohashi) defeated champion Adrian Hernandez (Mexico) via a sixth-round TKO to capture the WBC world title. In doing so, Inoue set a new domestic record by claiming a world championship in only his sixth professional outing.
エルナンデスに襲い掛かる井上（右）
Stepping into the world title ring for the first time, Inoue immediately forced Hernandez onto the defensive with sharp right straight leads to the body in the opening round. Although Hernandez attempted to press forward in the second, Inoue maintained his superiority by integrating left hooks to the body into his combinations, before punctuating the third with a clean right straight. The challenger controlled the early proceedings, neutralizing the champion’s retaliatory efforts with nimble footwork and countering with heavy left hooks.
Suffering a cut above his left eye in the third, a desperate Hernandez initiated a do-or-die slugfest from the fifth. While Inoue momentarily absorbed hooks from both hands, he settled the contest in the sixth. During an exchange in close quarters, Inoue detonated a right straight that sent the champion to the canvas. Although Hernandez regained his feet, he appeared spent of competitive will, prompting the referee to halt the bout. Hernandez falls to 29-3-1 (18 KOs), while Inoue improves to 6-0 (5 KOs).
“Does it suit me? This WBC belt,” was Inoue’s first remark to the crowd. “There were difficult moments, but I enjoyed the exchanges,” he said, before offering a word of gratitude to his father and trainer, Shingo Inoue: “Thank you.”
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