Naoya Inoue made the third successful defense of the International Boxing Federation
bantamweight title over Michael Dasmarinas, scoring three knockdowns in what became a third
round TKO stoppage in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 19, 2021.
Inoue, (21-0, 18KO) utilized his lead left hand early to set up punches against Rodriguez. A left
hand body shot, preceded by a combination thrown by Inoue, dropped Dasmarinas with a
minute to go in round two. Dasmarinas beat the count and got out of the round, yet Inoue kept
up his offensive attack in round three. Another left hand body shot dropped Dasmarinas, who was
able to rise at nine of the standing eight-count. With thirty seconds left, Inoue came in and closed
the show with yet another left hand body shotwhich dropped Dasmarinas. Referee Russell Mora
then immediately waived off the contest at 2:45 in the third round.
Hailing from Yokohama, Kangawa, Japan, Inoue threw 48 punches and landed 31 for a 65%
connect rate while Dasmarinas threw eight less punches and landed only ten. Inoue is rated in
the top-ten at No. 3 boxer in the world by ESPN. Nicknamed ‘The Monster’, Inoue defeated
Nonito Donaire via unanimous decision in Japan on November 7, 2019 in his second IBF title
defense in what was declared the 2019 Fight of the Year.
On October 31, 2020, Inoue defeated Jason Moloney inside seven rounds by knockout in what
was the first defense of the title, also in Las Vegas. Inoue won the International Boxing Federation
title in May 2018 via knockout over EmmanuelRodriguez, with three knockdowns also scored by
Inoue in the title winning bout.
BY RAYMUNDO DIOSES