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SportsTranscript
00:00 >> Okay guys, I give you instruction in the dressing room.
00:04 You have a clean match, okay?
00:06 The trunk is a little high.
00:07 Here, it's okay.
00:09 Okay, good luck, God bless you.
00:10 >> Luis Pabon, the third man in the ring tonight.
00:15 Christina Poncher and Nico Ali-Walsh here with you.
00:18 This one for the WBA Bantamweight World Championship.
00:22 The champion, Takuma Inoue, making his second defense of his title against
00:28 the former World Title challenger and WBA number one ranked, Sho Ishida.
00:33 Ishida in the silver trunks with the blue trim.
00:36 Inoue in the green trunks.
00:38 >> [NOISE] >> Inoue naturally is the boxer,
00:44 but because of the height advantage and
00:48 the reach advantage from Ishida, I think it's gonna go opposite this fight.
00:52 >> [NOISE]
01:00 >> Ishida started training for
01:02 this fight in February, just a day after Inoue defended his title against.
01:09 And Cajas, I think he knew that this fight was on the horizon and said, look,
01:14 I've grown mentally so much after losing my world title fight back in 2017.
01:18 That was a loss to Khalid Yafai back in October of 2017 for
01:23 the World Super Flyweight World Title.
01:27 And he says, I don't wanna taste a loss again, not at this point in my career.
01:32 I am ready to become a world champion.
01:34 >> Both of these guys haven't lost in years.
01:38 So they definitely, I think their losses woke them up, set a fire in their hearts.
01:45 >> [NOISE] >> That's when they say,
01:50 things really get started sometimes after you take your first loss.
01:54 >> That's right, you know whether you won it or not.
01:57 >> [NOISE]
02:07 >> You can really see the difference in
02:12 hype between Ishida and Inoue.
02:14 >> Inoue shooting that jab straight across and
02:17 it lands right to the midsection there of Ishida.
02:20 >> [NOISE]
02:26 >> Really a four inch reach advantage and
02:28 Inoue gets knocked down here in round one.
02:31 >> [NOISE]
02:36 >> That was just a perfectly timed counter.
02:39 >> [NOISE]
02:42 >> I mean, you talk about catching somebody
02:44 cold, you gotta come out ready when you're fighting a guy like Ishida,
02:48 who has been at the world stage before.
02:50 He's a 37 fight vet.
02:51 >> [NOISE]
02:53 >> And I just got done saying that he
02:55 knows what he's gained from his losses and he feels like this is the right time to
02:59 become a world champion and here he gets a knockdown scored in round one.
03:03 >> [NOISE]
03:07 >> Inoue did not look hurt by that
03:09 knockdown.
03:12 >> No, it seemed like it was a bit of a flash knockdown, but
03:14 it was just a perfectly timed punch.
03:16 Like I said before, any punch that's placed perfectly would put anybody down.
03:20 >> [NOISE]
03:28 [SOUND]
03:30 >> I won't give you a look at the knockdown as we come to the end of round
03:34 one, a 20 round in the books for Ishida.
03:37 You can't ask for a better start unless, I mean,
03:40 unless of course you've won the victory.
03:41 >> Yeah, that's right.
03:42 >> [LAUGH] Let's take a look at it.
03:43 >> [NOISE]
03:46 >> The shot here in that left hand just-
03:48 >> Yeah, see.
03:49 >> Right on the button.
03:50 Perfect timing.
03:51 >> It was a jab.
03:52 It was just a perfectly placed jab.
03:56 That's rare to get a knockdown from a jab.
03:58 But like I said, any shot that's perfectly placed,
04:03 [MUSIC]
04:06 I don't believe it hurt in a way.
04:07 [MUSIC]
04:13 >> That's definitely gonna change the tempo of the fight.
04:17 In a way, it was working on the back foot.
04:20 I thought that would be his plan for the fight, but he's gonna have to be a little
04:24 bit more aggressive just to catch up on that 10, 8 round.
04:27 >> Two.
04:28 [SOUND]
04:31 >> Have you been in a fight, Nico, where you kind of, you know,
04:34 they say like kind of got caught cold or got caught early by shot.
04:37 And you're like, okay, that woke you up.
04:39 >> Yeah, of course.
04:39 I've been hit with shots that are embarrassing that I say I shouldn't have
04:43 been hit by that.
04:45 And it completely changed the game plan.
04:47 You look like a different fighter.
04:48 I think that's what's gonna happen with Inoue.
04:52 He's not gonna get caught like that again.
04:54 >> [NOISE]
04:56 >> He should be using that long range
04:58 jab to keep Inoue at bay as he looks to- >> Watch your head.
05:03 >> Hold and bring action back to the center of the ring.
05:06 >> Go, go, go, go, go, go.
05:07 >> Ring, ring, ring, ring.
05:09 >> Naturally, you'd like to see Inoue go on the inside because of how tall Ishida is.
05:14 Inoue can get away with throwing punches to the body.
05:17 >> [NOISE] >> He's shorter, a little quicker.
05:21 >> [NOISE] >> That was a nice uppercut.
05:25 I think that's another shot for Inoue that's gonna be available for him.
05:27 And sometimes Ishida does hang that, you know, his chin over that front foot,
05:32 kind of having to almost bend down to the shorter fighter in Inoue.
05:36 >> I've seen Inoue's fights, that uppercut lands a lot.
05:40 He's good at throwing that.
05:41 >> [NOISE]
05:51 >> Nice combination there from Inoue.
06:01 >> [NOISE] >> He's got good rhythm, Inoue.
06:09 >> [NOISE] >> You know, when there's little
06:13 empty pockets where no one's throwing anything,
06:17 he's still moving his head or having rhythm.
06:21 >> [NOISE] >> There's Ishida just pawing with that
06:26 long jab, just that stick to the foot.
06:29 Inoue thinking as he's been a little hesitant,
06:31 big gaps in between when he's throwing his shots.
06:34 I mean, he looks pretty fluid when he lets his combinations go, but
06:38 I mean, 20 seconds has gone by before Inoue just finally shot that jab and
06:42 then another one.
06:43 >> [NOISE] >> Definitely taking his time,
06:46 maybe a little weary of catching a shot he doesn't see coming.
06:48 Like the jab that caught him for
06:50 the knockdown in round one as he shoots the uppercut once again with the right hand.
06:56 Inoue tried to counter Ishida's jab with the uppercut, but he was out of range.
07:01 See that uppercut's landing perfectly on the inside,
07:04 he's gotta stay close like that if he wants to land it.
07:07 >> [NOISE] >> He's finding that distance,
07:14 once Inoue finds that distance, I believe he'll start doing a lot better.
07:19 >> [NOISE] >> Nice shot there with the left hand
07:25 from Inoue.
07:26 >> [NOISE] >> [APPLAUSE]
07:35 >> Bloody nose, yeah, from Ishida.
07:38 >> [FOREIGN]
07:43 [MUSIC]
07:47 >> That's gonna be important to note for this fight,
07:51 Inoue is not necessarily a power puncher, but still punches are punches.
07:58 Ishida's a little bit bloody right now just from taking those clean shots.
08:03 No one can take those clean shots, no one's invincible.
08:06 >> [FOREIGN]
08:11 >> And Shingo Inoue.
08:13 >> [FOREIGN]
08:16 >> Father of both Takuma and
08:17 Melia pulling double duty tonight as we can be seen fighting on the same card.
08:22 Before we get to the main event, Inoue versus Nettie,
08:25 we still have our co-main event, Jason and Maloney against Yoshiki Takai.
08:30 That's coming up next.
08:31 >> [APPLAUSE] >> Right now, younger brother in
08:35 the ring and suffered a knockdown in round one.
08:40 >> [APPLAUSE] >> Was not the first time he's been down
08:43 in his professional career, actually the third time as a pro he's seen the canvas.
08:48 So responded from adversity before only one loss on his record.
08:52 >> [APPLAUSE] >> So
08:55 we're heading to round three, he's looking to establish his jab.
08:57 >> Getting a knockdown like that in the first round can do two things for
09:04 Ishida, for any fighter.
09:06 It can either make you lazy or it can make you step on the gas.
09:11 And it seems like it made him get a little stagnant last round, Ishida.
09:16 >> Why would it make you lazy?
09:17 Why would you even- >> When you land a shot like that,
09:20 you kind of get overconfident.
09:22 >> You're like, okay, got you.
09:23 >> So then you kind of step off the gas a little bit.
09:26 You feel as though that your opponent got knocked down from the first round,
09:31 the first easy shot.
09:32 But it seems like it set a fire in Inoue.
09:36 He's going off now.
09:40 >> Ishida's got blood streaming still from the nose and there's a crisp left hand.
09:45 There's another one there landed by Inoue.
09:47 >> [NOISE]
09:55 >> Nice combination there.
09:56 You can see that Inoue's getting more comfortable.
09:58 His shots are a little bit more fluid.
10:00 You see his hand speed a little bit more on display.
10:03 >> The right uppercut's gonna be the bread and butter for Inoue this fight.
10:06 >> [NOISE]
10:09 >> Ishida looks to maintain that distance and
10:12 Inoue hooks around with the left upstairs and brings it down to the body.
10:17 You can see even in his face and his body language,
10:19 Inoue getting more of a rhythm here in round three.
10:22 Chopping right hand.
10:23 >> [NOISE]
10:26 >> Down to the body with the left.
10:28 >> Inoue's got great punch selection.
10:30 He's going to different spots.
10:31 He's targeting the head, the body, different areas.
10:35 >> They're landing.
10:37 >> [NOISE]
10:39 >> Again, a sneaky body shot in the inside.
10:41 Some of the shots are so quick.
10:42 >> [NOISE]
10:46 >> Nice counter shot.
10:47 Good right hand gets in there from Ishida to the body of Inoue.
10:50 >> [NOISE]
10:52 >> Best round of the fight so far here in round three.
10:55 >> [NOISE]
11:02 >> Ishida's doing real good at using his jab,
11:06 trying to keep him at bay, but Inoue's moving his head so well.
11:09 He's able to sneak inside and get those body shots in.
11:13 >> [NOISE]
11:20 >> He's just crafty.
11:21 Inoue's just crafty, especially with a taller fighter like this.
11:25 He's going to stay getting in on the inside.
11:26 >> [NOISE]
11:30 >> Him and his brother.
11:31 Amazing footwork.
11:32 >> [APPLAUSE]
11:34 >> How many times do you think they spar?
11:37 >> That's a good question.
11:38 >> At home and at gym.
11:39 >> If ever.
11:40 Some of these guys never even spar each other.
11:43 You got people in the same family fighting, they never do anything.
11:46 >> Maybe just verbal sparring.
11:47 >> Yeah.
11:48 >> Over things as little brothers do.
11:51 >> See that right uppercut.
11:53 That right uppercut is landing.
11:57 It's crazy to see how bloody Ishida is and
12:00 only what's coming out will be the fourth round.
12:05 Those body shots are going to be important throughout the fight.
12:07 >> [NOISE]
12:15 >> I really like what Inoue has done since the first round.
12:19 Sometimes people need that knockdown to just wake them up.
12:23 >> [NOISE]
12:26 >> It looks like that's what happened for Inoue.
12:28 >> [SOUND]
12:32 >> Round four of this scheduled 12 round
12:35 world championship fight, the WBA phantom weight world title on the line.
12:40 The champion starting round four with some good success.
12:46 And for Inoue, this is a big opportunity to be a part of a huge card.
12:52 But walking out of there as a world champion and
12:55 coming back to watch your brother fight later on in the main event for
12:59 undisputed against a guy like Luis Neri who has some history in Japan.
13:04 I mean, you gotta compartmentalize, right?
13:05 Like, okay, I gotta take care of my business, but I'm also thinking about
13:08 what we are a part of tonight and that's a historic card in Tokyo, Japan.
13:14 I mean, what a moment for
13:17 the Inoue family to be a part of this historic night.
13:20 >> Yeah, I'm sure Naoya is more nervous for
13:26 Takuma's fight than his own, that's usually how it is.
13:29 >> That's exactly what the Maloney brothers have told me when they have
13:32 fought before, it's like, I'm almost more anxious for my brother.
13:35 Like, I know I've prepared and what I can do, I have control of all what I can do.
13:39 But not being able to help them or be there for them,
13:42 that's the challenging part for sure.
13:44 >> As a fighter, you get more nervous for what you can't control.
13:48 When I'm watching a friend's fight, when I'm watching someone I like fight,
13:52 I get more nervous for their fight than my own.
13:54 Because like you said, you can't control it.
13:56 So I'm sure Naoya is watching from backstage right now.
14:00 >> Some good work there from Inoue.
14:08 And Ishida just is landing better shots when he's at that middle or
14:14 longer distance.
14:15 When he gets inside, Inoue is just having his way.
14:17 >> Yeah, Ishida's gotta use his reach.
14:20 Naturally, you have to use your height and your reach.
14:23 And Inoue is just finding a way to get in on the inside, and
14:27 that right uppercut's landing, the left hook to the body's landing.
14:30 >> [NOISE]
14:40 >> [INAUDIBLE]
14:50 >> Ishida down to the body a bit in that exchange, but
14:53 not a lot of steam on these punches right now for the challenger.
14:56 >> [NOISE]
15:01 >> You can see a huge difference in the tempo on who's throwing more punches
15:06 since the knockdown.
15:07 >> [NOISE]
15:17 >> Another solid round here for the champ.
15:23 >> [NOISE]
15:36 >> Inoue was smiling at the end of that round.
15:40 He's feeling himself right now, he's finding his groove.
15:43 >> [NOISE]
15:53 >> A punch that Inoue likes to throw both Inoue's actually is
16:01 the right uppercut and the left hook to the body.
16:06 One of them normally lands, and it doesn't matter which one lands.
16:10 If one of them lands, then it can be the end of the fight,
16:13 whether it's the uppercut or the left hook.
16:16 >> [NOISE]
16:33 >> Niko, if you're in Ishida's corner,
16:36 what do you think they should be telling him, or
16:39 what will they tell him to try to get him back in control of this fight?
16:44 What does he need to do?
16:45 >> I'm sure they may have yelled at him a little bit after the second round,
16:49 because the first round, he got the knockdown, and
16:52 it seemed as though he got a bit stagnant.
16:55 He stopped throwing as much, and Inoue put on that pressure.
16:58 Inoue started coming forward, so I would definitely tell Ishida,
17:03 do what you were doing.
17:04 Throw more punches.
17:05 It's combos and staying at distance that's gonna keep Inoue away.
17:11 But when he's not throwing that jab,
17:13 Inoue is getting on the inside every single time.
17:18 >> Beautiful work around the guard there from Inoue.
17:20 >> [NOISE]
17:26 >> Back to the stick, and
17:27 then out of the way of the long right hand coming from Ishida.
17:31 >> [NOISE]
17:35 >> Caught a shot there though,
17:36 that was a good jab from Ishida.
17:38 >> [NOISE]
17:39 >> Doubling, tripling up on it now.
17:41 >> [NOISE]
17:44 >> Ishida's just gotta stay at that
17:46 distance that he's at right now.
17:47 He'll find a ton of success at the medium and long range.
17:51 Inoue won't be able to do anything from that range.
17:54 >> [NOISE]
17:58 >> Down to the body, Ishida goes with the jab.
18:01 And again with the right hand, Inoue missing there.
18:04 >> Stop, stop.
18:06 >> When a fighter gets tired,
18:08 sometimes they feel more comfortable sitting on the inside.
18:13 Even though it seems like it would require more energy to throw inside
18:16 punches, sometimes it's just out of laziness that a fighter would just sit
18:21 there and start throwing inside.
18:22 So it seems like Ishida's doing that sometimes.
18:26 Where he could just stay on the outside,
18:28 it requires more work to be on the outside to keep you from doing that thing.
18:33 >> [NOISE]
18:37 >> Storing jab there for Ishida.
18:39 >> [NOISE]
18:44 >> Inoue using some feints,
18:45 gets caught there again with another shot.
18:47 >> That was a good shot.
18:48 >> [NOISE]
18:55 >> Ishida having more moments here in
18:57 round five as Inoue looks to keep working that lead left hand.
19:02 He's shot out of an uppercut, he's turned into a hook.
19:04 And of course, an uppercut there with the right hand twice.
19:09 >> Ishida's dropping his left hand when he's throwing those right uppercuts.
19:12 He got caught a few times there in that exchange by Inoue.
19:17 >> Okay, stop.
19:18 >> [NOISE]
19:21 >> This was a much better round though for
19:23 Ishida. >> [NOISE]
19:26 >> Nice right hand to put an exclamation
19:29 point on it there.
19:30 >> [APPLAUSE]
19:36 >> [FOREIGN]
19:46 >> [FOREIGN]
19:56 >> I'd like to see how the corners reacting with Ishida right now.
20:02 >> [FOREIGN]
20:08 >> Junto Nakatani in attendance ringside.
20:12 >> [FOREIGN]
20:22 >> I mean, Japanese fighters, Japanese boxing is on fire.
20:28 >> [APPLAUSE]
20:34 >> All right, round six is a scheduled 12 rounder.
20:38 Much better round in round five for Ishida.
20:41 >> After what seemed like he can just try a round or two off here.
20:48 >> Immediately they're going just on close range work,
20:51 which is not advisable for Ishida.
20:55 He should definitely be using his range.
21:00 This is the fight that Inoue wants to fight.
21:02 The fight that's on the inside where you're throwing inside punches,
21:05 body shots.
21:06 >> [APPLAUSE]
21:16 >> And left hand for Inoue.
21:17 >> [FOREIGN]
21:19 >> Stab jab to the body for Ishida.
21:21 >> [FOREIGN]
21:31 >> With that lead left hand.
21:32 >> So fast.
21:34 >> Blood just pouring out of the nose of Ishida each round too.
21:38 >> So accurate with his shots in a way.
21:41 He's countering Ishida's jab.
21:44 Even though Ishida's got the range on him,
21:47 it's a longer distance to bring that hand back after the jab.
21:51 >> [APPLAUSE]
21:54 >> There he does a good job of taking a little half step back to avoid that jab
21:58 coming away to the body.
21:59 >> [APPLAUSE]
22:09 >> People also gotta remember that Inoue is coming off with his last fight a knockout.
22:14 So he's confident in his punching power, or
22:17 at least in the placement of his punches.
22:20 He knows what he can do.
22:21 >> Yeah, two of his last three fights have not gone the distance.
22:24 >> [APPLAUSE]
22:34 >> Down to the body with the left hand and
22:41 even though he suffered that knockdown in round one.
22:44 >> [APPLAUSE]
22:46 >> I don't get the feeling that Inoue is
22:48 really concerned with the power of Ishida.
22:51 He's willing to stand in there, throw, even take some shots up against the ropes
22:55 when needed.
22:56 I mean, I know that was a flash knockdown, a shot that he didn't see coming, but
22:59 I don't think at this point he sees Ishida sitting down on those shots.
23:03 >> Yeah, it looks like Ishida's respecting Inoue's power more than
23:07 Inoue's respecting Ishida's.
23:09 >> And there's a left hand from Inoue.
23:11 >> [APPLAUSE]
23:21 >> [APPLAUSE]
23:31 >> That right uppercut.
23:45 [MUSIC]
23:48 >> How would it land in the flesh?
23:50 >> Yeah, I saw from the first round, I know Takuma Inoue's bread and
23:55 butter, he's great with that uppercut.
23:58 [MUSIC]
24:05 >> And just the way Takuma's not getting his head off the line,
24:08 he's going to get a shot.
24:10 >> Yeah.
24:12 When you've got someone like Inoue who's noticeably shorter than the opponent,
24:17 he can find crafty ways of getting inside, like he slipped inside,
24:22 which is slipping to your left is a dangerous slip.
24:25 You're supposed to be slipping outside of punches.
24:27 >> Yeah.
24:28 >> Inoue slipped to his left, but still landed that hook.
24:32 It's a risky shot, but he did it.
24:33 >> [APPLAUSE]
24:43 >> [APPLAUSE]
24:50 >> Inoue picking his shots now,
24:52 then moving back around the outside.
24:55 Ishida, other than a jab, hasn't been throwing a lot of combinations.
24:59 >> Yeah.
25:02 >> We expected a little more work.
25:04 I mean, he's usually kind of, although rangy, does still apply pressure.
25:11 >> Yeah, even if the shots that you're taking aren't hurting for Ishida,
25:15 the fact that he's got a bad bloody nose, I'd say,
25:19 sometimes you get a little gun shy.
25:22 His punch output has changed a little bit.
25:25 He's throwing a lot of jabs, Ishida, but
25:27 he's not really changing the different combos like Inoue is.
25:34 His selection of punches, I would say.
25:36 >> [APPLAUSE]
25:43 >> He's also, Nico,
25:44 not really letting that right hand go either.
25:46 I mean, he's shooting the jab or doubling up on the jab, but for whatever reason,
25:49 I mean, we're halfway through round seven and
25:51 he hasn't really thrown much of the right hand at all.
25:53 >> It's tough because throwing the right hand against someone who's as quick as
25:59 Inoue is a risky shot because you can get countered.
26:02 We saw in the replay of the last round, he threw somewhat of a lazy jab and
26:07 then got countered from that.
26:09 >> Well, I mean, he just threw it for the first time a second ago and
26:12 he actually landed a shot to the body with it.
26:14 >> [NOISE] >> You gotta give yourself a chance.
26:18 >> Yeah.
26:18 >> Okay.
26:20 >> You gotta just sometimes just pull the trigger on the shots.
26:24 >> But it's been jab, double jab.
26:26 >> Yeah.
26:27 >> And even that was just kind of a little baby shot with the right hand.
26:32 >> If he stays at that distance,
26:33 if Ashida stays at the distance that they're at right now, he could land any shot.
26:38 >> [NOISE] >> When you land at the end of your
26:41 punches, that's the best.
26:43 >> [NOISE] >> Inoue having such a solid round here in
26:49 round seven, just picking his shots in and out, very efficient with the shots.
26:55 And then, Ashida scores there on a jab and then right back to work goes Inoue.
26:59 >> [NOISE] >> His head movement is great,
27:05 don't worry.
27:06 >> [NOISE] >> But I mean,
27:09 really no steam on these punches from Ashida at all as it-
27:12 >> [NOISE]
27:15 >> As he continues to just do a lot of
27:17 work with the jab.
27:18 >> Yeah.
27:19 >> [NOISE] >> Okay, stop, stop.
27:22 >> [NOISE]
27:28 >> [APPLAUSE]
27:34 >> It's so interesting to see,
27:36 it looks like Ashida is respecting his punching power, Inoue's.
27:42 He just seems a little more gun shy.
27:47 He's not throwing the different combinations,
27:49 most likely out of fear of getting countered because of how fast Inoue is.
27:54 >> [NOISE] >> And as you can see in that replay
27:59 too, Inoue just had like a half an inch off on some of these shots from being what
28:05 could be, we could be looking at a totally different outcome.
28:09 >> Yeah. >> At this point in the fight.
28:10 >> [NOISE] >> Inoue's a natural counter puncher,
28:14 even if he gets hit, throws.
28:17 There was a point in the last round where he got hit with a jab and
28:19 exchanged the jab for a right hand, that's a good trade.
28:22 >> Anyone will take that trade.
28:24 >> Round eight.
28:28 >> [APPLAUSE]
28:34 >> Round eight.
28:35 >> [APPLAUSE]
28:38 >> And Inoue has been pulling away
28:40 throughout the middle rounds of this fight.
28:43 I mean, you gotta think about Ashida making some adjustments,
28:47 taking it to another level to try to defeat the champion in this fight.
28:52 But I'm just seeing kind of the same combinations,
28:57 the same patterns from Ashida.
28:58 >> Yeah, he would have to change his punch selection,
29:03 he'd have to up his output.
29:05 >> Is that some of the things you're looking for from him?
29:08 >> Definitely, definitely, and especially the judging.
29:11 I know he got dropped in the first round, Inoue, but
29:15 he's not gonna win the fight from the champ by staying,
29:20 doing what he's doing right now, Ashida.
29:25 You gotta beat the champ.
29:29 >> At least have a little more sense of urgency.
29:31 >> Right. >> As Inoue's punch selection,
29:34 technical prowess, the way he's measuring distance.
29:38 I mean, it's been a joy to watch and maybe he doesn't have the,
29:43 let not me, he doesn't have the same amount of power that his brother possesses.
29:47 But how many fighters do really, that's just a God given gift.
29:53 >> Yeah, you can't take power.
29:54 >> But still, he's still a very technically sound, great boxer.
30:00 >> [APPLAUSE]
30:06 >> He's got incredible speed, Inoue.
30:08 >> [APPLAUSE]
30:11 >> He's very slick with his counters,
30:14 with his head movement.
30:16 >> You can hear the crowd getting a little bit more into the fight now as we're in
30:19 round eight.
30:20 >> [APPLAUSE]
30:26 >> I think there's some Inoue fans in that building.
30:29 >> There might be.
30:30 >> Maybe a handful.
30:31 >> [APPLAUSE]
30:33 >> Maybe 50,000 of the 55.
30:35 >> Right.
30:35 >> [LAUGH]
30:37 >> Naoya is a hero over there,
30:40 an absolute legend.
30:42 >> I was reading an article, one of the Japanese boxing writers saying that he is
30:47 as big of a celebrity in Japan as Shohei Otani is.
30:51 We don't see it as much here.
30:52 Obviously, Otani playing for the Dodgers.
30:54 We know what he means to baseball.
30:57 But anyway, Naoya Inoue is right up there.
31:02 So the amount of money that he makes in his sponsorships,
31:04 outdoes the majority of the fighters' purses.
31:08 >> Yeah, it's- >> These days.
31:09 >> It's insane.
31:09 >> It's incredible.
31:10 Looking forward to seeing him in our main event.
31:11 But his brother putting in work right now, little brother, in round eight.
31:15 >> [APPLAUSE]
31:22 >> Inoue's really stuck with the game
31:25 plan since coming off of the first round.
31:28 >> [APPLAUSE]
31:31 >> His punch selection has been great.
31:33 He's been throwing and moving.
31:35 His output has been great.
31:36 It seems as if he's won every single round since then.
31:41 [MUSIC]
32:01 >> Guys like Inoue that are shorter than you and slick in their head movement
32:06 are tough to fight.
32:07 You just saw in the replay how Ishida would throw a punch and
32:12 Inoue would just slip under it, roll under it, and find ways to land body shots.
32:18 These guys are really, really tough.
32:21 Go inside with them.
32:22 It's hard to fight a shorter, faster guy like that if you're not fighting at a distance.
32:28 >> Like they didn't even wipe all the blood out of his nose either.
32:30 They just stick that big Q-tip in there and pull it out.
32:34 And the blood just continues to stream out.
32:36 >> And it's going to keep streaming because Inoue is targeting it.
32:40 He's a smart fighter.
32:41 I believe the bloody nose started maybe in the third or fourth round, but
32:48 Inoue hasn't let up on it.
32:50 He's targeting that nose.
32:51 >> And he just peppered it there a couple times with the left and
32:53 then finished with the right.
32:54 >> [NOISE]
33:04 >> There's no pop on him whatsoever.
33:15 >> He's not turning on his punches.
33:17 Inoue, you can see that Inoue is punching with intent.
33:21 He's throwing his shots and fully turning on them.
33:24 >> [NOISE]
33:28 >> I mean, just pop, pop, pop, like he's just working the pads.
33:31 It's not even like he's really putting any of his base into those shots.
33:36 >> Yeah, yeah.
33:39 You know, like I said, he may have got a sense of false confidence, Ishida,
33:43 in the first round.
33:43 The shot that he landed that knocked Inoue down wasn't a strong shot.
33:48 So maybe he thought, you know, the jab that knocked him down was good enough
33:52 to knock him down again.
33:53 >> [NOISE]
33:58 >> I don't know, he's a savvy vet, a 37 fight vet.
34:01 I mean, you should, there's levels to this.
34:05 And he's fought at the top level.
34:07 He's been in a world championship fight before.
34:09 He's a former Japanese junior bantamweight champion.
34:12 He defended that title like five times.
34:13 I mean, he's fought at a higher level.
34:15 >> He's fought guys like Inoue.
34:18 He's got to take it to another level if he wants to walk out here tonight
34:21 a world champion.
34:22 I mean, these opportunities don't come around all the time.
34:25 Some fighters rarely get one opportunity, never mind two opportunities to try to
34:29 become a world champion.
34:30 And at this point, he's really got to turn it up if he wants to walk out of
34:34 there with a belt.
34:34 >> You're right.
34:37 >> Inoue just, pop, pop, pop, so much quicker with these shots.
34:44 >> Uppercut.
34:50 >> Going a lot on the inside.
34:54 I feel like that's maybe a tad bit of a sign that maybe Ishida's getting tired.
35:00 Like I said before, it's easier to go on the inside.
35:05 It's easier to trade shots on the inside.
35:07 But that's not what Ishida should be doing against Akihito.
35:12 >> That was definitely a push and Luis Pabon made that clear.
35:18 Has about ten seconds left here in round nine.
35:20 >> Go, go, go, go, go.
35:26 >> Jump, jump.
35:27 >> And Inoue puts an exclamation point on that.
35:33 >> Yep.
35:33 >> And interesting though, for a second Pabon told him, okay, listen to me,
35:36 no holding.
35:37 I don't feel like there's been an excessive holding through this point.
35:40 I mean, that was kind of a stern warning from Pabon.
35:42 Although I really don't feel like that's been much of an issue.
35:44 >> It could become an issue.
35:47 Normally when you see fighters start pushing each other down,
35:51 like stuff like that, it shows frustration.
35:54 If anyone's frustrated, it's Ishida.
35:57 So I mean, we'll see in the next round or so if that becomes.
36:02 >> Look at me, no hold.
36:03 No hold.
36:04 You hold.
36:04 You hold.
36:05 >> Yeah.
36:06 >> No hold.
36:06 >> Well, that was about as clear as you can be.
36:11 >> Yeah, I don't, I don't, I didn't see them holding a lot.
36:15 >>
36:27 >>
36:35 I just get the sense at any moment Inouye could turn it up another notch
36:39 and maybe get Ishida out of there.
36:41 >> Yeah, I mean, he's landing clean shots.
36:44 >> I mean, and maybe he's coming out this round throwing pretty hard shots here.
36:51 Perhaps he senses the same thing.
36:54 There's no real resistance coming from Ishida.
36:57 Inouye's got a little more sense of urgency here in round 10.
37:01 >> Yeah, I mean, if Ishida keeps fighting Inouye's fight,
37:05 there would be no reason for Inouye to not capitalize on that.
37:08 You know, Ishida keeps wanting to throw on the inside with him.
37:12 You got to use that opportunity if you're Inouye.
37:16 If he wants to throw on the inside, that's your spot.
37:19 That's where your strength is right now.
37:22 >> Nice uppercut just snapping the head back of Ishida.
37:25 Ishida does have three losses on his record, but all of those losses have been by decision.
37:30 He has not been stopped as a professional in his 37 career fights.
37:35 That'd be a nice feather in the cap of Takuma Inouye if he could get a stoppage here tonight
37:40 in his second world title defense.
37:42 >>
37:51 Good shot there from Ishida with the right hand.
37:53 >> Ishida's throwing more this round.
37:56 Maybe he's feeling the urgency.
37:58 >> He needs to.
38:00 >> It's round 10.
38:01 >> Yeah.
38:01 >> Yeah, he definitely has to step it up.
38:03 >> And he's gone down to the body there twice with the right hand.
38:05 Although they weren't fighting shots, those are still scoring punches.
38:07 But he's got to let his hands go to give himself a shot here.
38:12 We're getting into the championship rounds.
38:13 Oh, beautiful uppercuts.
38:18 Nice work with the right hand there from Inouye.
38:20 >> He's definitely coming back, Ishida.
38:23 >> But yeah, at least he's fighting back more here in round 10 than what we've seen in the
38:28 previous round.
38:28 >> That's right.
38:29 There wasn't a dull second in this round so far.
38:33 Ishida's answering all those punches.
38:38 >> [APPLAUSE]
38:48 >> Inouye just pulling that job out there.
38:56 He throws away the right hand just to land another with the left,
38:58 then goes down to the body of Ishida.
39:00 >> [APPLAUSE] >> 25 seconds left here in round 10.
39:07 >> [APPLAUSE] >> A little sloppy with the
39:12 combinations there from Inouye.
39:13 >> Inouye's using his speed, even if these punches aren't landing flush.
39:19 >> [APPLAUSE] >> Yeah,
39:27 nice job there with the counter with the left hand on the end of that exchange.
39:31 But some of the work was a little bit more crisp in other rounds, I think, for Inouye.
39:35 But nonetheless, still consistently applied pressure there and
39:38 finally got Ishida to step up a little bit there in that round.
39:41 >> Yeah, I mean, if Ishida stays on the gas like he was that round,
39:45 it could make for a closer decision in the end if it goes full distance.
39:52 But those right uppercuts are not missing from Inouye.
39:56 [MUSIC]
40:06 To avoid those right uppercuts,
40:09 Ishida's gotta stay more so on the left, on his left, on Inouye's right.
40:17 >> [APPLAUSE] >> He'd be able to slip those uppercuts,
40:21 but in the replay, you saw that he didn't move his head at all.
40:24 >> [APPLAUSE] >> Some fighters even block under their
40:27 chin to avoid, if they're trying to avoid one shot in uppercut,
40:31 they'll just block under the chin.
40:33 >> [APPLAUSE] >> All right, round 11.
40:36 >> [APPLAUSE] >> The WBA,
40:39 bantamweight world title on the line.
40:41 >> [APPLAUSE] >> Down to the body with the left hand,
40:49 goes Inouye.
40:51 >> [APPLAUSE]
41:01 >> But the disparity in the punch variation is vast.
41:20 I mean, what Inouye has been able to display in terms of the different
41:23 combinations that he's thrown versus Ishida coming with the one,
41:26 the one, sometimes the one, two, maybe a shot down to the body.
41:29 But he hasn't shown a big range in terms of
41:34 different combinations that he's been able to execute here tonight.
41:39 >> Yeah, Ishida looks like he's not throwing as much as he was the last round.
41:45 His output is definitely lessened.
41:47 >> [APPLAUSE]
41:57 >> That's his distance right there.
42:05 That's Ishida's distance.
42:06 >> [APPLAUSE] >> Right hand scores for
42:10 Inouye on the end of that exchange.
42:11 Then he throws those uppercuts,
42:14 such beautiful work on the inside with those shots.
42:16 >> [APPLAUSE] >> You can see right before Inouye
42:20 landed that he tried to throw a right uppercut from the outside and it didn't land.
42:25 That's almost an impossible punch to land from that long range.
42:28 >> That distance, yeah.
42:29 >> Yeah.
42:29 >> Unless you're like Benato Lopez, right?
42:34 Or Emmanuel Navarrete, who throws an uppercut from left field and it connects.
42:38 >> Yeah, those guys are different.
42:39 >> Absolutely, they are different.
42:40 >> [APPLAUSE]
42:50 >> And again, I mean, you wanna see
42:58 Ishida put together another round like he had in that last one.
43:02 >> Yeah.
43:02 >> Here around 11 or around 12.
43:05 And I think he again stepped off the gas a little bit.
43:08 He's gonna have to step on the gas early in this last round.
43:11 >> [APPLAUSE] >> Coming on strong now,
43:16 these last 20 seconds as they exchange.
43:19 Great action, right hand connects for Inouye.
43:21 Ishida ate that.
43:23 >> Inouye's winning these exchanges, he's landing the cleaner shots.
43:27 >> Those are some hard shots and Ishida took those to the chin very well.
43:31 >> Those are dangerous shots to land.
43:34 Those are dangerous shots to eat.
43:36 >> [APPLAUSE] >> We go to the 12th and
43:43 final round of this Bantamweight Championship fight.
43:46 The WBA champ Inouye tonight in his second defense.
43:51 Likely up on the cards.
43:54 I mean, I know I'm not having you score here in your maiden voyage, but
43:58 I'm sure you would agree that- >> Of course, of course.
44:02 >> Inouye's likely up on the cards here.
44:04 And I think Ishida's team knows that as well, and I think we'll see him
44:10 maybe push on the gas a little bit more at the start of this next round.
44:14 >> [FOREIGN]
44:24 >> [APPLAUSE]
44:34 >> So we'll see if he steps on the gas,
44:39 Ishida.
44:40 We'll know immediately if he will.
44:42 >> [APPLAUSE]
44:52 >> Inouye definitely doesn't seem to be
44:54 letting up here.
44:54 Sometimes you do see fighters, particularly champions,
45:00 when they feel like they're up on the card, kind of just try to work off the jab,
45:03 work around the outside, avoid risk.
45:05 But he's willing to stand there on the inside with Ishida.
45:07 >> Takuma Inouye is not that kind of fighter to be up on the scorecards and
45:14 just coast the rest of the way.
45:16 He's definitely a guy who wants to make a statement.
45:19 >> And I think that's more of what fight fans want to see, right?
45:22 >> Yeah.
45:22 That's how you get more fans.
45:25 No one wants to watch a boring fighter.
45:28 >> [APPLAUSE]
45:36 >> Under two minutes left to go here in round 12.
45:39 Inouye was looking for that right hand, just leaning completely into it.
45:45 >> Inouye's not getting enough credit.
45:47 I know I've been talking about his inside work, which has been great,
45:51 but he's almost boxing on the outside now and it's working well for him.
45:55 >> A little jab to the body there for Inouye.
45:59 >> See, Inouye's on his back foot right now.
46:05 >> Yeah, that urgency you were looking to see from Ishida?
46:14 >> It's not happening.
46:16 It's not happening.
46:16 >> [APPLAUSE]
46:23 >> Doubling up on the jab there,
46:25 just touching the gloves of Inouye.
46:26 >> The urgency that Inouye is showing is the urgency that
46:31 Ishida should be showing right now.
46:34 Like you said, Inouye doesn't need to be putting on as much pressure as he's
46:39 putting on right now.
46:40 >> [APPLAUSE]
46:48 >> 45 seconds left to go,
46:49 the second world title defense for Inouye, and Ishida gets in a left hand there.
46:55 Inouye answers right back there, forehead to forehead here with about 30 seconds
47:00 left to go in the contest, and Ishida finally starts to let his hands go there.
47:06 You can tell he's exhausted, maybe even has a broken nose.
47:09 It's bled consistently throughout the fight.
47:14 >> It's been about nine rounds, maybe more,
47:17 just consistent breathing every single round.
47:20 >> [APPLAUSE]
47:22 >> Inouye throwing Ishida to the ground
47:26 with under ten seconds left to go here, and there's the bell.
47:32 >> Yeah.
47:33 >> This one will go to the scorecards.
47:39 The second title defense, and likely, I mean, if things go the way that
47:46 you've seen it, Inouye walks out of here still with his WBA phantomweight title.
47:52 >> Definitely.
47:54 I mean, the way that I've seen the fight,
47:59 Ishida didn't win a ton of rounds since the knockdown in the first.
48:10 That really set a fire in Inouye.
48:14 Inouye didn't stop from the second round to the twelfth.
48:18 That shows conditioning.
48:22 Being able to just keep that output consistently for basically 11 full
48:29 rounds is incredible.
48:31 >> [FOREIGN]
48:33 >> [FOREIGN]
48:35 >> We're gonna go to the scorecards now.
48:37 >> [FOREIGN]
48:47 >> [FOREIGN]
48:57 >> [FOREIGN]
49:07 >> 118, 109, twice, 116, 111, your winner by unanimous decision.
49:20 Obviously, you saw his hand raised before.
49:22 We got the score in our earpiece cuz my Japanese is not on par.
49:26 But unanimous decision and why too, which is what we thought to Inouye still.