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Takuma Inoue faced a tough challenge in veteran Sho Ishida but showed true champion spirit by overcoming an early knockdown to retain his WBA bantamweight title in a thrilling bout at the Tokyo Dome.
The fight started disastrously for Inoue as he was dropped by a left hand from Ishida just two minutes into the first round. Despite his best efforts to adapt to Ishida's range and style, Inoue struggled to find his rhythm in the early rounds.
However, in the third round, Inoue managed to turn the tide of the fight by bringing the action to the inside, where he could utilize his skills more effectively. He began to land significant shots, particularly with his right uppercut, causing damage to Ishida's nose and face.
By the fourth round, Inoue was in control, dominating the inside exchanges and landing powerful right hands. He continued to dictate the pace of the fight, timing Ishida's movements and countering effectively.
Although Ishida had moments of success, particularly in the eighth and ninth rounds, where he managed to force Inoue backwards and cause some swelling under his eye, he was unable to defend against Inoue's relentless assault.
The fight culminated in a thrilling 11th round, with both fighters giving their all. Ishida slipped near the bell, and although he finished the fight on the canvas, it was a testament to his resilience and determination.
In the end, the judges scored the fight in favor of Inoue, with Kazunobu Asao and Pinit Prayadsab scoring it 118-109, and Michiaki Someya scoring it 116-111.
With this victory, Inoue made his second successful defense of the WBA bantamweight title, solidifying his place as one of the top fighters in the division. Despite his early setback, Inoue showed incredible heart and skill to emerge victorious, further cementing his reputation as a champion boxer.