Bantamweight king Inoue eyes subsequent problem after beating Butler

Japan’s Naoya Inoue mentioned he had not but reached his “purpose” after changing into the primary undisputed bantamweight world champion in half a century on Tuesday with a knock-out win over England’s Paul Butler.

The unbeaten Inoue, nicknamed “Monster”, needed to work laborious to grind down a defensive Butler in Tokyo however lastly dropped him to the canvas with a flurry of photographs within the eleventh spherical.

The win noticed Inoue obtain his long-held ambition of changing into the primary undisputed bantamweight world champion since Panama’s Enrique Pinder in 1972, including Butler’s WBO title to his personal WBC, WBA and IBF belts.

However he warned that his rampage by the boxing world was not completed but and that he’ll evaluate his choices earlier than making his subsequent transfer.

“This isn’t the purpose,” mentioned the 29-year-old Inoue, who’s extensively anticipated to make the step as much as the super-bantamweight division.

“Tonight was one thing nice to see with the followers from the place I used to be standing within the ring, however that is only a level alongside the best way.

“Do I really feel happy? I’m happy however I need to flip my thoughts to what comes subsequent.”

Inoue turns into solely the ninth undisputed world champion for the reason that four-belt period started in 2004, and the primary within the bantamweight division.

He took his report to 24-0, with 21 knock-outs, after lastly managing to place away underdog Butler, who was preventing away from dwelling for the primary time.

Inoue began the bout in characteristically ferocious vogue, touchdown a number of huge photographs within the opening spherical.

He continued to punish Butler within the early phases however the Englishman held agency and refused to emerge from his defensive shell.

Tremendous problem

Inoue grew pissed off by Butler’s strategy and praised his opponent afterwards for his “thorough recreation plan”.

“He tried to get by the primary half after which make it a contest from the center of the battle onwards,” mentioned Inoue.

“I anticipated that however he had a great plan to cease me. I needed to change my very own model and attempt to coax him out.”

Inoue lastly broke down Butler’s resistance with a juddering physique shot within the eleventh, then made certain he went down with a volley of punches.

Butler paid tribute to Inoue as a “very, excellent fighter” and acknowledged that he “fell simply quick”.

“You may see the punches coming however generally you’ll be able to’t react fast sufficient to get out of the best way, as a result of he’s that quick,” mentioned Butler, whose report dropped to 34-3.

“That’s what actually good fighters do — they’ve good timing, good accuracy and good pace, and generally you simply can’t get out of the best way of that.”

Inoue mentioned he had “no actual impression” of Uzbekistan’s Murodjon Ahkmadaliev and American Stephen Fulton — two champions within the super-bantamweight division.

He mentioned he would take time to resolve whether or not to maneuver as much as their weight class however Butler warned that he would wish to enhance to succeed at that stage.

“He’s fairly ignorant in his defence,” Butler mentioned of Inoue, who grew to become the primary Japanese boxer to high Ring Journal’s prestigious pound-for-pound rankings as the very best fighter throughout all weight divisions earlier this 12 months.

“He is aware of he’s acquired punching energy and he is aware of he’s acquired a great chin himself.

“Possibly when he goes up the weights, not that he’ll come unstuck however I believe he’ll have a bit bit extra to consider.”