Japanese boxer Naoya Inoue defeated British representative Paul Butler, thanks to which he became the absolute champion in the bantamweight (up to 117 pounds). The fight took place at Ariake Arena in Tokyo.
WBC, WBA, and IBF champion Inoue came into the fight against WBO champion Butler as the clear favorite, and he delivered. Butler quickly abandoned attempts to seize the initiative and defended competently, but Inoue's bodywork prevailed, and Butler was knocked out in the 11th round.
After the win, Inoue thanked his opponent for coming to Japan and giving him the opportunity to become the undisputed world champion and confirmed that he would now move up to the first feather-weight division.
The 29-year-old Japanese boxer has never lost a professional fight in his career. He won by knockout 21 times. Butler, 34, fought 37 times in his professional career, winning 34 and losing three.
Note that Inoue became the first undisputed world champion in the bantamweight division since 1972 when Enrique Pinder held the title.
Image Credit: Sky Sports