Japanese star Naoya Inoue stopped overmatched Aran Dipaen in eight rounds Tuesday in Tokyo.
Naoya Inoue gave his fans what they wanted.
The Japanese knockout artist battered and then stopped overmatched Aran Dipaen in the eighth round to retain his bantamweight titles Tuesday in Tokyo, his first fight in his home country since he defeated Nonito Donaire in Saitama in 2019.
Inoue (22-0, 19 KOs) stalked Dipaen (12-3, 11 KOs) from the outset, bloodied his nose and did more and more damage as the fight progressed. He hurt his Thai opponent in Round 7. Then, in Round 8, he put Dipaen down with a left hook.
The dazed challenger was able to get up but he took another hard left hook, which prompted the referee to save Dipaen from further punishment.
The official time of the stoppage was 2:34 of Round 8.
đź‘ą Monster at work
🇯🇵 @naoyainoue_410 cruises to an eighth-round KO victory in Japan to defend his unified bantamweight titles
Inoue, No. 3 on Boxing Junkie’s pound-for-pound list, has now knocked out 11 of his last 12 opponents. Donaire took him the distance.
The champion said going into the fight with Dipaen that he wants to unify all four major 118-pound titles, with WBO beltholder John Riel Casimero being his first priority. Donaire won the WBC title after losing to Inoue.
Japanese star Naoya Inoue stopped overmatched Aran Dipaen in eight rounds Tuesday in Tokyo.
Naoya Inoue gave his fans what they wanted.
The Japanese knockout artist battered and then stopped overmatched Aran Dipaen in the eighth round to retain his bantamweight titles Tuesday in Tokyo, his first fight in his home country since he defeated Nonito Donaire in Saitama in 2019.
Inoue (22-0, 19 KOs) stalked Dipaen (12-3, 11 KOs) from the outset, bloodied his nose and did more and more damage as the fight progressed. He hurt his Thai opponent in Round 7. Then, in Round 8, he put Dipaen down with a left hook.
The dazed challenger was able to get up but he took another hard left hook, which prompted the referee to save Dipaen from further punishment.
The official time of the stoppage was 2:34 of Round 8.
đź‘ą Monster at work
🇯🇵 @naoyainoue_410 cruises to an eighth-round KO victory in Japan to defend his unified bantamweight titles
Inoue, No. 3 on Boxing Junkie’s pound-for-pound list, has now knocked out 11 of his last 12 opponents. Donaire took him the distance.
The champion said going into the fight with Dipaen that he wants to unify all four major 118-pound titles, with WBO beltholder John Riel Casimero being his first priority. Donaire won the WBC title after losing to Inoue.
John Riel Casimero outpointed Guillermo Rigondeaux in a snoozer Saturday night in Carson, Calif.
Having trouble sleeping? Watch a replay of Saturday’s fight between John Riel Casimero and Guillermo Rigondeaux.
Casimero was pleased to leave the ring at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., with a split-decision victory and his 118-pound title but it wasn’t a particularly good night for anyone, most notably the fans.
The fighters combined to land 91 total punches in the 12-round fight, an average of 7.6 per round, according to CompuBox. Neither fighter landed in double digits in any round.
The pattern of the fight was the same throughout, the fit 40-year-old Rigondeaux pedaling around the ring on his well-oiled bicycle and throwing punches only here and there as those on hand booed. Casimero, normally a busy fighter, chasing the defensive wizard from Cuba but never really able to cut off the ring and unload his dangerous combinations.
In the end, the judges had as difficult a time as Casimero as it was impossible to predict who might win after the final bell. This is what they decided: Tim Cheatham scored it for Rigondeaux 115-113 but Robert Hoyle (117-111) and Daniel Sandoval (116-112) thought Casimero won.
Cheatham obviously thought Rigondeaux (20-2, 13 KOs) landed just enough counter punches to eke it out. Hoyle and Sandoval evidently rewarded Casimero (31-4, 21 KOs) for his aggression.
Casimero, who had stopped his previous six opponents, was happy – and apparently relieved – when the decision was announced.
“My expectations were for a knockout,” he said. “Me and all my fans wanted that. I did my best to knock him out, but he was just running and not fighting.”
Rigondeaux, a two-time Olympic champion who has never been an entertaining fighter, understands that his style isn’t pleasing but he believes it’s effective. He thought he deserved to win the fight, which would’ve given him a third world title.
“Nobody wants to fight with me because I frustrate them in the ring,” said Rigondeaux, who has no plans to retire. “I landed the punches that I needed to in order to win the fight tonight. This is how I win. I have these God-given skills and this is the way I display them.
“I’m a unique fighter. It’s my style and it’s the only one I know. You can see I’m still better than anyone else in the lighter weight classes and I’m going to keep fighting.”
Casimero can now move on from the Cuban nightmare. He had a three-man hit list going into the fight, including Rigondeaux and two fellow titleholders.
“I had a three-fight plan,” he said enthusiastically. “First was Rigondeaux, and I beat him. Next is Nonito Donaire and then finally Naoya Inoue.”
Casimero used fingers to count down Rigondeaux and the other two prospective foes, saving his middle finger for Inoue.
Those watching on Saturday night might’ve given the same to Casimero and Rigondeaux.
In preliminary fights, Gary Antonio Russell (18-0, 12 KOs) vs. Emanuel Rodriguez (19-2, 12 KOs) was declared a no-contest after the fighters’ heads collided and injured Rodriguez seconds into the bantamweight title eliminator. The bout ended after only 16 seconds.
And, in the Showtime opener, former titleholder Rau’shee Warren (19-3, 5 KOs) stopped Damien Vazquez (15-3-1, 8 KOs) in the second round to re-assert himself as a viable 118-pound contender.
John Riel Casimero outpointed Guillermo Rigondeaux in a snoozer Saturday night in Carson, Calif.
Having trouble sleeping? Watch a replay of Saturday’s fight between John Riel Casimero and Guillermo Rigondeaux.
Casimero was pleased to leave the ring at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., with a split-decision victory and his 118-pound title but it wasn’t a particularly good night for anyone, most notably the fans.
The fighters combined to land 91 total punches in the 12-round fight, an average of 7.6 per round, according to CompuBox. Neither fighter landed in double digits in any round.
The pattern of the fight was the same throughout, the fit 40-year-old Rigondeaux pedaling around the ring on his well-oiled bicycle and throwing punches only here and there as those on hand booed. Casimero, normally a busy fighter, chasing the defensive wizard from Cuba but never really able to cut off the ring and unload his dangerous combinations.
In the end, the judges had as difficult a time as Casimero as it was impossible to predict who might win after the final bell. This is what they decided: Tim Cheatham scored it for Rigondeaux 115-113 but Robert Hoyle (117-111) and Daniel Sandoval (116-112) thought Casimero won.
Cheatham obviously thought Rigondeaux (20-2, 13 KOs) landed just enough counter punches to eke it out. Hoyle and Sandoval evidently rewarded Casimero (31-4, 21 KOs) for his aggression.
Casimero, who had stopped his previous six opponents, was happy – and apparently relieved – when the decision was announced.
“My expectations were for a knockout,” he said. “Me and all my fans wanted that. I did my best to knock him out, but he was just running and not fighting.”
Rigondeaux, a two-time Olympic champion who has never been an entertaining fighter, understands that his style isn’t pleasing but he believes it’s effective. He thought he deserved to win the fight, which would’ve given him a third world title.
“Nobody wants to fight with me because I frustrate them in the ring,” said Rigondeaux, who has no plans to retire. “I landed the punches that I needed to in order to win the fight tonight. This is how I win. I have these God-given skills and this is the way I display them.
“I’m a unique fighter. It’s my style and it’s the only one I know. You can see I’m still better than anyone else in the lighter weight classes and I’m going to keep fighting.”
Casimero can now move on from the Cuban nightmare. He had a three-man hit list going into the fight, including Rigondeaux and two fellow titleholders.
“I had a three-fight plan,” he said enthusiastically. “First was Rigondeaux, and I beat him. Next is Nonito Donaire and then finally Naoya Inoue.”
Casimero used fingers to count down Rigondeaux and the other two prospective foes, saving his middle finger for Inoue.
Those watching on Saturday night might’ve given the same to Casimero and Rigondeaux.
In preliminary fights, Gary Antonio Russell (18-0, 12 KOs) vs. Emanuel Rodriguez (19-2, 12 KOs) was declared a no-contest after the fighters’ heads collided and injured Rodriguez seconds into the bantamweight title eliminator. The bout ended after only 16 seconds.
And, in the Showtime opener, former titleholder Rau’shee Warren (19-3, 5 KOs) stopped Damien Vazquez (15-3-1, 8 KOs) in the second round to re-assert himself as a viable 118-pound contender.
Bantamweight titleholder John Riel Casimero hopes Guillermo Rigondeaux comes to fight this Saturday in Carson, Calif.
Guillermo Rigondeaux has always been a safety-first boxing savant who relies on skill over power.
That changed a bit in his recent fights, in which the 40-year-old Cuban has been willing at times to stand his ground and exchange punches with his opponents.
WBO bantamweight titleholder John Riel Casimero hopes the latter Rigondeaux shows up when they fight Saturday at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. (Showtime).
If Rigondeaux refuses to engage, Casimero’s task could be difficult and the fight might be boring. If he trades shots with the champ, he opens himself up to danger.
“I know that I can make this an easy fight for myself,” Casimero said. “I want him to have some guts and be the exciting fighter he’s shown recently. It will be better for the fans and it will really prove who is the best.”
Casimero (30-4, 21 KOs) has already proved a great deal. The Filipino has won world titles in three divisions, making him one of top little men in the sport.
And he’s on a roll. He has won six consecutive fights — all by knockout — since he lost a decision to Jonas Sultan in a title eliminator in 2017. He last fought in September, when he stopped Duke Micah in three rounds.
A victory over the well-regarded Rigondeaux (20-1, 13 KOs) would further enhance his reputation and set up even bigger fights, perhaps against countryman and WBC 118-pound champ Nonito Donaire.
“I want to show that I’m strong and can beat any tough opponent,” Casimero said. “A win over Rigondeaux will solidify me as one of, if not the best, fighter in the bantamweight division.
“My goal is to take care of business on Saturday night, then go after the scared Nonito Donaire.”
Bantamweight titleholder John Riel Casimero hopes Guillermo Rigondeaux comes to fight this Saturday in Carson, Calif.
Guillermo Rigondeaux has always been a safety-first boxing savant who relies on skill over power.
That changed a bit in his recent fights, in which the 40-year-old Cuban has been willing at times to stand his ground and exchange punches with his opponents.
WBO bantamweight titleholder John Riel Casimero hopes the latter Rigondeaux shows up when they fight Saturday at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. (Showtime).
If Rigondeaux refuses to engage, Casimero’s task could be difficult and the fight might be boring. If he trades shots with the champ, he opens himself up to danger.
“I know that I can make this an easy fight for myself,” Casimero said. “I want him to have some guts and be the exciting fighter he’s shown recently. It will be better for the fans and it will really prove who is the best.”
Casimero (30-4, 21 KOs) has already proved a great deal. The Filipino has won world titles in three divisions, making him one of top little men in the sport.
And he’s on a roll. He has won six consecutive fights — all by knockout — since he lost a decision to Jonas Sultan in a title eliminator in 2017. He last fought in September, when he stopped Duke Micah in three rounds.
A victory over the well-regarded Rigondeaux (20-1, 13 KOs) would further enhance his reputation and set up even bigger fights, perhaps against countryman and WBC 118-pound champ Nonito Donaire.
“I want to show that I’m strong and can beat any tough opponent,” Casimero said. “A win over Rigondeaux will solidify me as one of, if not the best, fighter in the bantamweight division.
“My goal is to take care of business on Saturday night, then go after the scared Nonito Donaire.”
Guillermo Rigondeaux says he will climb back onto pound-for-pounds lists at 118 pounds and then move back up to 122.
If anyone has a right to think big, it’s Guillermo Rigondeaux.
The 39-year-old Cuban defector is a two-time Olympic champion, former unified 122-pound titleholder and a longtime member of the pound-for-pound club, a distinction that ended when he moved up to 130 pounds to face Vasiliy Lomachenko and was knocked out in 2017.
At that point, many believed the aging boxing wizard was more or less finished as an elite fighter. Wellllllllll …
Rigondeaux (20-1, 13 KOs) has won three consecutive fights since his setback, two at a more natural 122 pounds and one – a decision over Liborio Solis – at 118 on Feb. 8, his most recent fight.
And he says he’s just getting started even as he approaches 40. He told El Nuevo Herald that he plans to climb back onto pound-for-pound lists at 118 pounds and then move back up to 122.
Rigondeaux won what the WBC calls its “regular” title when he beat Solis. Boxing Junkie doesn’t recognize that belt.
“I was the pound-for-pound champion at 122,” he said. “I’m going to be the best, pound-for-pound in the 118-pound division and then I’m going to go up again for 122. So you know, I’m not done yet. It’s now that I start.’
“… “We’re not done, now we start. The Jackal is not finished, now it starts. I’m still a champion at 118. I’m here. I keep making history. I’m a three-time world champion: two at 122 and one at 118.”
What’s next?
Japanese star Naoya Inoue is the actual WBA 118-pound titleholder and holds another belt. However, he was set to face fellow beltholder John Riel Casimero in a unification bout when the coronavirus pandemic took hold.
The fourth titleholder is Nordine Oubaali but he’s expected to defend against No. 1 contender Nonito Donaire.
That leaves Rigondeaux’s immediate future uncertain, although it sounds as if he’ll be ready to go when the phone rings.
Bantamweight champ Naoya Inoue is staying in shape and still expects to face John Riel Casimero in a title unification bout.
Naoya Inoue expected to be in Las Vegas preparing for a fight against John Riel Casimero when he turned 27 on April 10. Instead, with the fight off, he is with his family in Japan waiting out the coronavirus pandemic.
Such is life for boxers these days.
Inoue, speaking with BoxingScene.com, said he still intends to face Casimero in a title-unification bout when that’s possible. In the meantime, he’s doing what he can to stay in reasonable condition.
“I was going to have my 27-year-old birthday in Las Vegas doing physical preparations for my fight against John Riel Casimero,” Inoue told BoxingScene.com. “But because of what is happening today with the danger in this world, due to a coronavirus pandemic, I am now in Japan … surrounded by my family in peace and tranquility.
“My fight in Las Vegas was suspended because of coronavirus. I am still training at 60% intensity so I don’t to lose my physical form for whatever comes.”
Inoue (19-0, 16 KOs) hopes he won’t have to travel far when the time comes to fight.
“Presumably my fight with John Riel Casimero would be possible to take place in Japan, provided that Japan is the safest location and a more reliable country than the U.S., as long as COVID-19 ends in Japan faster than the U.S.,” he said.
“Eight calendar years have passed since my professional boxing debut. I was able to consummate greater and more glorious achievements than I imagined by making the leap to being a professional, but, I can tell you, my holy ambition as a boxer is still half-finished.
“Now, my project is to continue my triumphant march, but it is momentarily interrupted by COVID-19. In spite of [that] I harbor an immense feeling of desire and improvement so that I am capable of throwing myself strongly into an important fight to fulfill my great goal in boxing.”
Inoue is coming off a tougher-than-expected unanimous decision over Nonito Donaire in November, which was one of the most entertaining fights of 2019.
Casimero (29-4, 20 KOs) became a 118-pound titleholder in his most recent fight, a third-round knockout of Zolani Tete in November.
Top Rank shelved all cards scheduled through April, including those featuring Artur Beterbiev and Naoya Inoue, because of coronavirus.
One more domino fell Monday.
Top Rank shelved all cards scheduled through April, including light heavyweight Artur Beterbiev’s title defense on March 28 and bantamweight champ Naoya Inoue’s Las Vegas debut on April 25 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“The health and safety of our fighters, staff and ESPN’s incredible production team is the most important thing as we plan our next steps,” Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum said hours after Premier Boxing Champions canceled its schedule through April and Matchroom Boxing canceled the Regis Prograis-Maurice Hooker junior welterweight bout.
“We look forward to the day when we can bring our loyal fans world-class boxing once again, but exercising caution is the most prudent thing to do at this moment.”
After canceling cards in New York featuring featherweight champion Shakur Stevenson on Saturday and Mick Conlan on Tuesday, Arum had talked about trying to stage boxing in a studio-like production. There would have been no fans. Only judges, referee, ringside physician, ESPN’s broadcast crew and other necessary personnel would have been there.
Then, however, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an advisory Sunday, recommending that events with 50 people or more should not happen over the next eight weeks. On top of that, MGM announced that its casinos and hotels in Las Vegas would be closed for “the foreseeable future.’’
Inoue was scheduled for a title defense against John Riel Casimero at Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay, an MGM property. Beterbiev was set to fight Fanlong Meng in Quebec City, Canada.
Bob Arum is mulling the possibility of staging boxing cards in studios, with only essential personnel, but Coronavirus testing would be key.
From elbow bumps when greeting someone to staying at home, there are lots of ways to practice social distancing.
Going into a studio might be another way.
At least, Bob Arum thinks so.
In attempt to save cards from cancellation in the face of the spreading coronavirus pandemic, Arum said he is thinking about staging bouts without fans and with only cameras, referee, judges, ringside physicians and other necessary personnel in Las Vegas.
“We’re gonna try to set up a studio atmosphere in Vegas, so we can do fights maybe,” the Top Rank chairman said Friday during “The Ak & Barak Show” on SiriusXM.
A couple of options are the Artur Beterbiev-Meng Fanlong and Naoya Inoue-John Riel Casimero bouts, which had been scheduled for March 28 in Quebec City and April 25 in Las Vegas, respectively.
Arum had considered a studio-like setting for the Shakur Stevenson-Miguel Marriaga fight this past Saturday and a Saint Patrick’s Day card featuring Mick Conlan on Tuesday, both at the Hulu Theater at New York’s Madison Square Garden.
Initially, it was announced both cards would take place without fans in the seats. Then, however, both were cancelled. The Nevada State Athletic Commission said no, because testing for the respiratory infection was not available, according to Arum.
ESPN was scheduled to televise both cards. Other than the UFC, the network has been left with virtually no content because of the virus. College basketball’s tournaments have been cancelled. The NBA has been suspended. Major league baseball has canceled remaining spring-training games.
“They’re gonna need content, and we can provide content’’ Arum said.  “We’ve talked to the athletic commission here (in Nevada), doing fights in a studio. But we’ve got to get the testing done. We’ve gotta get enough tests here, so that we can test the fighters before the fights, so we can show that they do not have the virus. Or, if they have the virus, they can’t fight. I mean, that’s what we’re working on.”
