.png)
Naoya Inoue scored a big TKO win over Nonito Donaire in a monstrous display to add the WBC bantamweight world title to his collection.
Inoue made quick work of Donaire as he brutally blasted out the future hall of famer at the Saitama Super Arena in Japan on Tuesday.
The 29-year-old Japanese sensation dropped Donaire in the closing stages of the very first round after landing a stinging straight right hand.
He then secured the finish 1 minute and 24 seconds into round 2, producing a devastating combination to bring a halt to their unification showdown.
Inoue stunned the Filipino fighter with a short left hook before launching a ruthless assault.
Advert
He tagged him with a hard right hand then dropped him with a left hook, with referee Michael Griffin waving off the contest.
It's Inoue's 23rd victory as a professional - with a staggering 20 of those coming the distance.
Speaking after his latest win, he said: "In the first round, I received a left hook from Nonito. That punch woke me up.
Advert
"To be able to raise my status at the top, I needed to win this fight, so I decided to go for the finish."
'The Monster' showed his class as he thanked Donaire for the clash.
"Without Nonito, I couldn’t have had all this success," he added. "He won the WBC belt and came back to fight against me.
"That’s why we’re here, and that’s why I was able to shine like this. Thank you so much, Nonito, for everything."
Advert
The WBA (super), IBF and WBC title holder is eyeing WBO kingpin Paul Butler to become undisputed champion at 118lbs.
"My aim is to become the undisputed champion," he continued. "If I can do that this year, I would love to stay in this division. But if I can’t, I’m capable of going up in weight."
Topics: Boxing
Nasir Jabbar