Naoya Inoue defeats Jason Moloney by KO in the seventh round

With a surgical display, unified world bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue defeated Jason Moloney by knockout in the seventh round Saturday night at the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas. Showing the form and class that have ranked him ESPN’s # 3 pound-for-pound fighter in the world, Inoue scored two knockdowns on his way to an impressive performance.

After a relatively even first two rounds, Inoue (20-0, 17 KOs) began to kick off his offense, landing a variety of power shots with both hands. But at first, it was the speed and quickness of “The Monster” that was impressive. It wasn’t just the speed of his hand, but his ability to move in and out with his feet that allowed him to control distance and tempo.

In reality, he was boxing to victory in the opening stages of the contest.

Eventually, his lethal arsenal began to make its mark on Moloney (21-2, 18 KOs), who boxed well at times but simply couldn’t match Inoue’s power. In the sixth round, a quick left hook counterattacked, dropping Moloney.

Then, in the seventh, a short forehand dropped Moloney a second time. As he tried to get up, he had no senses and referee Kenny Bayless stopped the fight at 2:59 of the round.

“The final blow, the final blow, I am very happy and satisfied with that blow,” said Inoue, who has won junior flyweight and junior bantamweight titles, and currently holds the WBA and IBF belts at 118 pounds. “Moloney has great defense, and it was very difficult to pass. The two shots you mentioned are something that we really practice a lot in Japan, and I was able to perform well and use it, and I’m very happy with that.” . “

Originally scheduled to face WBO bantamweight champion John Riel Casimero on April 25 before the fight was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, Inoue, 27, has his sights set on adding to his vast collection. of belts.

“The [Nordine] Oubal[Nonito] Grace [winner] With the WBC title and Casimero with the WBO, they’re within my grasp when it comes to fighting, “Inoue said.

Top Rank’s Bob Arum, whose company signed a promotional contract with Inoue after he defeated Donaire last year in the final of the World Boxing Super Series tournament, called Inoue “a special fighter.”

“I haven’t seen a young fighter like that in a long time,” Arum said. “And the credit to Jason Moloney for fighting like a warrior. He gave his best.”