Just like former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson during his 1980s heyday, Naoya Inoue has the reputation of an authentic knockout artist and fight fans the world over are hoping to see “The Monster” paint another masterpiece on September 3.
On Tuesday, the great Inoue (27-0, 24 KOs) will defend his undisputed super bantamweight title for the second time against TJ Doheny at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo. The 12-round bout, plus undercard action, will be broadcast by ESPN+ in the U.S.
WATCH: Naoya Inoue vs. TJ Doheny, exclusively on ESPN+
While Doheny (26-4, 20 KOs) is a former IBF super bantamweight champion and world-rated contender, the consensus is that the Irishman will be taken out in double-quick time. Inoue hasn’t gone the distance since 2019 and he’s currently on an eight-fight knockout streak.
A champion in four weight classes, the Japanese star has scored a blizzard of eye-popping knockouts over the years. With a versatile skillset, Inoue has been flatlining the opposition with headshots, body shots, and multi-punch combinations while rapidly ascending the pound-for-pound ratings.
The Sporting News took a look back at Inoue’s 10-year championship journey and selected his top 5 knockouts.
5. Emmanuel Rodriguez
- Date/ Location: May 18, 2019/ SSE Hydro, Glasgow, Scotland
- Titles: IBF, WBA, Ring Magazine bantamweight
In the semi-final of the World Boxing Super Series, Inoue was matched against the unbeaten IBF bantamweight titleholder Emmanuel Rodriguez.
Tensions boiled over at a media workout during fight week when a member of Team Rodriguez pushed Inoue’s father-trainer Shingo. That was a big mistake.
Inoue made Rodriguez pay in the ring, wrenching the title away from the Puerto Rican star following three punishing knockdowns in round two.
Result: Inoue KO 2
4. Nonito Donaire
- Date/ Location: June 7, 2022/ Saitama Super Arena, Saitama
- Titles: IBF, WBC, WBA, Ring Magazine bantamweight
In a real baptism by fire, Donaire had tested Inoue to the limit in their 2019 Fight of the Year encounter that saw the Japanese star prevail via unanimous decision.
The sequel would be very different. Donaire was three years older while Inoue was three years better, but the manner of victory was still astounding.
An eyeblink-quick right decked “The Filipino Flash” in the closing seconds of round one and the writing was on the wall. In the second, a hail of punishment had Donaire reeling all over the ring and Inoue closed out with a pulverizing left hand.
Result: Inoue TKO 2
3. Juan Carlos Payano
- Date/ Location: October 7, 2018/ Yokohama Arena, Yokohama
- Titles: WBA “regular” bantamweight
It was Inoue’s debut in the World Boxing Series bantamweight tournament and he certainly wasn’t in the mood for doing any overtime.
Payano was a former WBA bantamweight champion from the Dominican Republic and he was highly regarded. In 23 fights, his only loss had come via close majority decision to Rau’shee Warren.
This one was terrifying. As the seconds ticked away in the opening round, both men were positioning themselves for an attack at center ring. Inoue went first, knocking Payano out cold with a brutal one-two combination.
Result: Inoue KO 1
MORE: Who will Naoya Inoue fight next?
2. Stephen Fulton
- Date/ Location: July 25, 2023/ Ariake Arena, Tokyo
- Titles: WBC and WBO super bantamweight
There was a lot of talk that then-champion Fulton had the tools and know-how to outbox Inoue when the pair met last year. He didn't come close.
Inoue boxed beautifully in this fight, winning six of seven completed rounds on two scorecards. He jabbed up and down against his opponent, gathering information as the fight progressed.
The end came in the eighth when Inoue followed a jab to the body with a back-breaking right to the jaw. Fulton touched down for a split second and came back up to be met with a crushing left hook that floored him heavily. Inoue’s follow-up assault forced the referee to stop the fight.
Result: Inoue TKO 8
1. Luis Nery
- Date/ Location: May 6, 2024/ Tokyo Dome, Tokyo
- Titles: Undisputed bantamweight
The first fight to be staged at the acclaimed Tokyo Dome since Buster Douglas upset Mike Tyson in 1990 and it looked like another shock was in the offing.
When Nery dropped Inoue for the first time in his career with a bodacious left hook in round one, both he and his team thought the colossal upset was assured. Then reality kicked in.
The Japanese star does not take infringements lightly and he immediately activated “Monster” mode. Nery was decked once in the second and once in the fifth before being knocked out cold by a devastating two-punch combination in round six.
Result: Inoue TKO 6