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SportsTranscript
00:00 Instructions, Michael Griffin.
00:03 You may receive my instructions in the dressing room.
00:08 Protect yourselves at all times.
00:10 Touch gloves now men, you're boxing at the bell.
00:13 God bless you both. Touch gloves.
00:16 Joe Tessitore and Tim Bradley here on the call
00:19 for the Undisputed Junior featherweight championship.
00:22 Luis Neri, Naoya Inouye.
00:24 Timmy, as much as we always have, our jaws drop
00:27 with the explosive power of Inouye.
00:29 He is also a calm fighter, confidently calm.
00:32 He is exceptional footwork, he's sturdy.
00:36 But this is a fight where Neri has said,
00:39 "I want it to end early."
00:42 What could reveal itself early on?
00:45 That the fight could be an end and on the other way,
00:48 he can get knocked out.
00:49 Neri has a tendency of getting caught early in fights
00:53 and goes down.
00:54 And I can tell you, if Inouye lands on Neri
00:58 and he goes down, he's one of the best finishers in the game.
01:01 He's going to finish the fight, Tess.
01:03 Right hand coming through from Inouye early on,
01:10 willing to fire it.
01:11 2023 fighter of the year.
01:16 First Japanese fighter to win that Boxing Writers Award
01:20 in 85 years, so he'll be in New York City June 6th
01:24 to accept that.
01:26 Neri comes forward against the monster.
01:28 I like that from Neri.
01:30 It's dangerous.
01:31 However, when he--
01:32 Gotta be careful reaching right there.
01:34 You're in there with a vicious counter puncher in Inouye.
01:38 But that sequence before this, Tess,
01:41 coming behind his double jab,
01:43 just taking advantage of that low lead of Inouye.
01:46 Inouye tends to bag out in straight lines.
01:48 He drops that left hand, and when he throws the left hook,
01:51 he has a tail.
01:52 He drops that left hand first before he leads
01:55 with that left hook.
01:56 So that'll be a telltale sign.
01:58 If Nori and his team has studied film,
02:02 they'll know that.
02:03 Neri right now doesn't seem spooked by the punching power.
02:15 Oh!
02:16 There it is!
02:17 Inouye goes down!
02:19 Who is Neri with a first round knockdown of the monster?
02:24 [crowd cheering]
02:28 He said, "I want it to end early,
02:32 then I see openings."
02:34 He was extraordinarily confident and calm
02:38 and resolute in saying that he sees flaws
02:41 and he will knock out the monster.
02:43 And now he's going after him.
02:45 Luis Neri determined to deliver on it.
02:49 Goes to the body with a left hand.
02:52 [crowd cheering]
02:55 Now on the inside.
02:59 Inouye, covering up, tries to deliver a right hand
03:03 and it's out and uppercut!
03:05 Comes through, but Neri unaffected.
03:07 He keeps punching.
03:09 First knockdown suffered of Inouye's career.
03:13 Of course, he was cut and damaged badly
03:15 against Nonito Donaire.
03:18 Fought through a broken orbital bone,
03:21 a dislocated right hand.
03:23 But now, new adversity faced for Inouye Inouye.
03:28 What a huge round for the upset-seeking Luis Neri!
03:48 In the inside right here, you see Neri set up the shot.
03:53 See the small uppercut right there,
03:56 but you see when Inouye tends to throw one hand,
04:00 that left hand, the opposite hand tends to drop.
04:04 Poor fundamental habits right there from Noya Inouye.
04:08 You can see it in his previous fights.
04:10 He drops the opposite hand every time he shoots.
04:12 If he shoots with the left, he's dropping the right.
04:14 If he shoots with the right, he's dropping the left hand.
04:17 And right there, Neri making him pay for that mistake.
04:21 It's a common mistake of Inouye.
04:24 What a shocking start to this undisputed championship fight.
04:33 Remember, Neri said in the lead-up,
04:36 "I've watched all of Inouye's fights.
04:38 "I think he's completely overrated.
04:40 "I see flaws.
04:42 "His weak point is he opens up.
04:44 "I will take advantage and come right in," and he did.
04:48 Knocked down, scored in round one.
04:51 Let's take into account that Neri is a veteran in this weight class.
04:56 Been in this weight class for about, I believe,
04:58 a couple of years now, Tess.
05:00 He's the bigger, stronger fighter.
05:01 He's fought at 118.
05:03 Now he's at 122.
05:04 He's the bigger man in there,
05:06 and he seems to be the stronger man as well.
05:09 Of course, the title is set at 118 and 122.
05:13 [crowd cheering]
05:15 And now how does the monster react as he goes back to the jab?
05:20 As you can hear, this massive crowd in Tokyo
05:23 trying to rally support for their hero.
05:27 Said that that left hand comes out of nowhere from Neri.
05:37 That's the danger shot. That's his kill shot.
05:40 Anytime that Inoue feels that he's safe, he's not safe.
05:44 You're not safe until you're back in your corner
05:46 sitting on your stool.
05:48 Neri's explosive, and that shot comes out of nowhere.
05:51 Isn't it funny how boxing history writes itself
05:55 and makes you think?
05:57 This Tokyo Dome, this grand palace of sports and entertainment in Japan.
06:02 You have to go all the way back.
06:04 The last major fight card was Buster Douglas
06:07 knocking out Mike Tyson in February of 1990.
06:11 And then the first round of the showcase event in all that time,
06:15 and the great Inoue hits the canvas.
06:19 Round number two in that first round,
06:23 Neri made it 10 power punches of his 15 total connects.
06:27 Short left hand flooring Inoue.
06:32 But Neri seems to be changing up his attack test.
06:34 Right now he's trying to be patient. He's trying to catch Inoue out of position.
06:38 When Inoue commits, he's out of position.
06:40 Oh, and Inoue returns the favor.
06:43 Lunging forward.
06:44 Neri came forward, overextended himself,
06:47 and the monster caught him.
06:50 Knockdown scored from Inoue.
06:53 That's a bad habit from Neri.
06:56 Lunging forward. He has a really solid one-two.
07:01 But when he throws combinations, he tends to open up, Tess,
07:04 and he reaches, overcommits,
07:06 and right there, Inoue making him pay for that
07:09 with a sharp left hook on the inside.
07:11 You saw that back foot of Neri bubble forward.
07:15 His whole body went that path.
07:17 And the monster with that viper-like offensive reaction floored him.
07:23 I don't know if he was extremely hurt from that shot, Tess.
07:28 He was out of position.
07:30 Didn't have his feet underneath there, I'm sure.
07:33 He seems composed right now, Neri.
07:36 So they trade ten-eight rounds to open up this undisputed championship fight.
07:42 Neri again on the attack, coming forward,
07:54 reaching with that left hand.
07:55 You see him forward shift,
07:57 and Inoue right there just filling that gap
08:00 or that space with that left hook.
08:02 Here he is, reaching with the backhand.
08:05 Inoue stepping back, has a single high shield.
08:08 "Oh, why don't you eat that, young man?
08:10 Go ahead and sit down."
08:12 And, Tim, that is a prime example of what you describe
08:16 in terms of elite technique and athleticism.
08:20 Yes.
08:21 You just saw it from Inoue.
08:23 That was from about four to six inches away.
08:26 And watch that back foot.
08:28 Feet and hand working together.
08:32 Neri was off balance there.
08:34 His momentum carried him forward.
08:36 That shot wasn't a lethal punch.
08:38 It landed on the right, on the chin, and it dropped him,
08:41 but he wasn't hurt badly during that sequence, Tess.
08:44 Nope, that southpaw back foot came all the way forward.
08:48 Inoue caught a glimpse of the lunge
08:50 and fired off that left hook and scored the knockdown.
08:53 So, a great bounce-back round for Inoue
08:56 after he suffered the first knockdown of his career in round one.
09:00 In that second round, he had 21-4 connect advantage
09:03 and scored the knockdown.
09:06 So, swapping 10-8 rounds to open up this championship event.
09:11 Inoue is starting to anticipate the offense of Neri,
09:16 and he understands that Neri overcommits at times.
09:19 He's just taking that half a step, sometimes a full step back to counter.
09:25 When a fighter starts to anticipate, Tess,
09:28 the actions and reactions,
09:32 that's when things start to slow down for him.
09:34 Understand that. Things start to slow down.
09:36 You hear that saying all the time.
09:38 Does it slow down for you in the ring?
09:40 Yeah, it does.
09:41 You know, the mind is faster than the actual reaction,
09:44 which slows things down.
09:46 So, Inoue knows what he must do.
09:51 He starts to anticipate these shots coming from Neri.
09:55 This combination from Inoue,
10:04 and now he goes with that right hand to the body.
10:07 Remember, it was a body shot that caused Neri's only defeat of his career.
10:15 The technical prowess of Inoue right now,
10:19 and the speed, the coordination,
10:22 the punch placement right now is giving Neri fits.
10:25 Neri understands that he can't compete with that.
10:27 He's looking for that single shot.
10:29 He's looking for Inoue to make a mistake to make him pay.
10:34 If Inoue gets overconfident,
10:37 and throws too many shots and gets a little bit greedy,
10:41 there's a chance for Neri to be able to land his signature punch,
10:45 which is that left hand test.
10:48 Good right hand.
10:55 Inoue now is getting comfortable getting in the groove.
10:57 Oh, there's another one, Timmy.
10:58 Yeah, he's getting in the groove now.
11:00 Anticipation is on.
11:01 Neri better change things up.
11:03 He better start fainting, start using his jab.
11:05 Oh, there's another one that splits the guard.
11:07 That right hand is being placed well by the monster.
11:11 Neri needs to come behind his jab test,
11:15 start applying feints.
11:17 When you start getting timed like that,
11:19 you got to change your rhythm up.
11:21 Feints doesn't allow him to know when you're going to attack.
11:27 You throw him off, the jab occupies him.
11:31 He needs to start doing something.
11:34 Or Inoue is going to have his way like this.
11:36 Top Rank Boxing on ESPN is presented by AutoZone.
11:43 Get in the zone.
11:45 55,000 got into the Tokyo Dome earlier tonight,
11:50 Monday evening in Tokyo.
11:53 It opened in 1988.
11:55 That year, Mike Tyson TKO'd Tony Tubbs in this great stadium.
12:00 Of course, it has been the home to American football,
12:04 to major entertainment, from Michael Jackson to Taylor Swift,
12:09 and Buster Douglas at 42-1, the upset of Mike Tyson,
12:14 here at the Tokyo Dome.
12:16 And now, the start of action here between Inoue and Neri,
12:20 and that right hand in the third round was affected, Tim.
12:22 You see the low guards right there of Neri.
12:24 Poor defensive habits, keeping his guard low.
12:27 You see the jab come first, then the right hand just followed.
12:31 Just great execution right there from the champion, the monster.
12:34 He had a 19-7 connect advantage, according to CompuBox,
12:39 in that third round.
12:40 11 power punches.
12:42 In the first round, Luis Neri scored the knockdown.
12:45 He had a 15-8 connect advantage, and that was the first time
12:50 an opponent of Inoue outlanded the monster
12:54 in the last 46 rounds.
12:58 45 previous rounds, Inoue had four total connects
13:03 until the first round tonight against Neri.
13:06 Neri's going to have to compete with that speed.
13:08 He's going to have to compete with it with timing.
13:10 Timing has a way of beating speed.
13:13 Placing those shots in between the shots of Inoue.
13:17 And he's going to have to prevent that bomb from coming, Tess.
13:20 His defense has to get better.
13:21 He has to be responsible after his offense.
13:24 Forepunch combination from Inoue.
13:27 There's that pop right hand.
13:29 Again, it's finding the target.
13:31 The undisputed champion finding more of his rhythm offensively
13:36 after being floored in the first round.
13:49 Inoue seems to be softening him up right now.
13:51 He's just taking advantage of those poor fundamental habits.
13:55 Oh, look at this!
13:56 A little showboat.
13:57 Trying to draw him in, and that's firing off.
13:59 Again, told you defense has got to be on point when you're facing Inoue
14:06 with the speed, power, and accuracy that he brings to the table.
14:09 Neri is taking these shots well, though, Tess.
14:12 But for how long? That's my question.
14:16 For how long can he take these shots coming from Inoue?
14:19 Neri suffering the fifth knockdown of his career earlier tonight.
14:25 It came when he lunged in, overextended.
14:28 Inoue met him with the short left hook.
14:31 But the toughness of Neri, that's why Neri's here.
14:41 You know, that's why he's a two-division world champion.
14:44 Yes, he has the skills, he has punching power.
14:46 However, that toughness, that grittiness, he's going to have to bring that out tonight.
14:50 He's going to have to take maybe one or two tests to get one.
14:54 To get one.
14:56 You can just see Inoue right now just weakening up Neri.
15:13 Just weakening him.
15:15 And I think he's looking for that left hook to deliver.
15:18 That's what he's trying to set up.
15:20 He's trying to get him used to the shots up top, upstairs.
15:23 And he wants to sneak one past the guard to deliver of Neri.
15:28 You can see him testing that a few times moments ago.
15:33 Another solid round for the undisputed champion.
15:42 Okay, okay.
15:44 Starting to be an Inoue massacre.
15:49 Straight left, right hand, right down the middle.
15:52 Right between the seam.
15:54 Great execution right there from the champion.
15:57 And that's the shot I'm talking about.
15:59 He's trying to soften up Neri with straight shots up top.
16:03 To be able to come around.
16:04 And here he is, showboating a little bit.
16:07 Finding his groove. Good shot right there.
16:10 Partially blocked by Neri.
16:12 Look, Neri's still dangerous.
16:21 You know, Inoue's having his way.
16:23 He's getting comfortable.
16:24 He better not get chillaxed.
16:26 I'm letting you know right now.
16:27 Neri can set him up.
16:29 Can lure him in.
16:30 I told you before this that Inoue sometimes gets a little bit bored in there.
16:34 You know, when guys don't want to open up.
16:36 He'll showboat a little bit.
16:38 You start to see some swelling around the face of Luis Neri.
16:42 There are the total body punches.
16:44 You say look out for a body punch that could do damage with a set up from Inoue.
16:48 Round number five.
16:53 Nearly connected with that left hook that scored the knockdown.
17:05 Get a positioning of Inoue.
17:08 Top notch.
17:09 Oh, there's two right hands.
17:11 Backs up Neri for a moment.
17:13 Now he inches ahead.
17:16 See, positioning is the placement of a boxer compared or in relation to your opponent.
17:27 You know, when you're facing a southpaw in his over stance battle,
17:30 of course you need to have lead foot dominance.
17:32 Inoue, he's having his way.
17:34 With the lead foot, Neri is constantly moving to his left towards the right hand.
17:38 That's why he keeps eating those right hands.
17:40 Good right hand returning fire.
17:43 Neri stepping forward and Inoue welcoming that.
17:47 There is a certain sound to the combination punching of Inoue that's very distinct.
17:55 Neri's starting to sell out already.
17:57 He's selling out, Tess.
17:58 He understands that he's outgunned.
18:00 He knows he can't beat him on the outside.
18:02 He's too quick, too accurate with his shots.
18:04 He's trying to close the distance now.
18:07 Trying to get on the inside.
18:10 You can see the complaints from Inoue and a warning from Mike Griffin.
18:23 Using that head on the inside.
18:30 You can hear the reaction from the crowd.
18:32 Remember, he plays the role of villain.
18:34 Does Neri not just because of the opposition, the role,
18:37 but the previous controversies in fighting in Japan.
18:40 Was handed a lifetime ban by the local commission that was lifted
18:44 so that they could have this mega event.
18:46 Now trading on the inside.
18:49 Perhaps an opportunity for Neri, but with that comes great risk.
18:58 There it is. There's the risk with no reward.
19:01 Left hook scores the knockdown again.
19:04 Under 30 seconds to go facing one of the great closers in recent boxing history.
19:15 Here comes the monster.
19:17 Right hand. Stood up to it for the moment.
19:27 Inoue on the attack.
19:28 Final seconds.
19:32 Neri survives, but he went down for a second time there in round 5.
19:41 Another left hook from Inoue.
19:44 Being calm in the storm.
19:53 You see right there.
19:54 Just found a little gap right there.
19:56 Lead hand is down of Neri.
19:58 On the inside.
20:00 Inoue noticing that.
20:03 He attempted there. Just missed off the mark, but he dips under.
20:06 You see his eyes. He's looking right at Neri.
20:09 He sees those hands. Pull away from that face.
20:11 When we talk about punching technique, Tim.
20:16 When you talk about the ability to turn a punch over
20:21 in the last few inches of the delivery system.
20:25 To create torque and power.
20:28 All time great power for the weight classes that he's been in.
20:33 That's an example. Here we go.
20:36 Round number 6.
20:39 The monster has taken over.
20:54 Neri is new to champion against a former champion.
20:57 But there are levels to this game.
20:59 And guys like Inoue and Bud Crawford are currently just on a far different pedestal.
21:06 That speed and quickness, Tessa. You alluded to it.
21:20 The accuracy and how he's able to generate that power from short distance like that.
21:25 With that much torque. That much power.
21:28 It's brilliant stuff right there from Inoue.
21:32 Just stands up to that offensive effort from Inoue.
21:35 From Neri and fires back.
21:36 Oh! Right hand!
21:37 Combination up top.
21:38 This almost over, Tessa.
21:45 Neri can't keep taking these type of shots over and over and over.
21:49 What do you see as a potential finisher here, Tim?
21:51 There's the right hand!
21:53 He just answered the question!
21:55 As Neri has crumbled!
21:58 And the monster has roared!
22:01 He's done it again!
22:03 16 of the last 17 by knockout.
22:18 The pound for pound elite.
22:20 In front of a sold out Tokyo Dome.
22:24 Completely over delivers on all the expectations.
22:29 We are always cautious with the superlatives.
22:41 With the word "great" in the boxing business.
22:46 But in real time, fans.
22:48 You are watching one of the greatest of all time.
22:54 Unquestionably.
22:56 The undisputed champion just demolishes yet another worthy world title challenger and former champion.
23:09 Stampin!
23:10 First ballot hall of famer right now.
23:14 Tess, in his career.
23:16 He's amongst the names.
23:18 I would say Roy Jones, Sugar Ray Leonard, Sugar Ray Robinson, Terrence Crawford of the world.
23:27 I mean he's among the best of the best.
23:30 Timmy, I would contend that if his career was fought in a weight class 147 and north.
23:37 The entire world would be nodding their head in agreement.
23:43 I agree.
23:44 Only because of the lower weight classes.
24:05 Do the mainstreams not realize what they are seeing.
24:11 But come aboard folks.
24:12 Because this is one of the great, most entertaining rides that the sport has seen in some time.
24:19 27-0.
24:21 24 knockouts.
24:23 And he does it time and time again.
24:28 More impressive every time out.
24:32 Now yet in a way.
24:34 Scoring three knockdowns.
24:36 Finishing it like only he can.