“Monster” Inoue Scored KO Win Saturday Night

On Halloween night, it’s only appropriate that “The Monster” delivered an impressive knockout in Las Vegas.

Unified World Bantamweight Champion, Naoya “The Monster” Inoue disposed of Australian Contender Jason Moloney with a one punch for 7th round KO to remain undefeated and retain his WBA / IBF World titles,

The closing shot.

Not sure anyone really wants to be on the receiving end of the next one.#InoueMoloney | @GEICO Photo of the Fight pic.twitter.com/AH1kaJp1BN

— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) November 1, 2020

It was a dominant performance for Inoue, who was fighting only for the second time in his career in the United States. The Japanese superstar controlled the early action of the fight and eventually scored this knock down with a straight left in the 6th round,

RINGSIDE ?: The speed + power of this @naoyainoue_410 counter left when seen up close is just … ? #InoueMoloney pic.twitter.com/P8m8CJYg6P

— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) November 1, 2020

Inoue, now 20-0 with 17 KOs, who has a tremendous punch with either hand, ended up landing 63 of 174 power punches for the fight, according to Compubox stats. That nearly doubled the challenger Moloney’s 32 of 125 power shots.

The Aussie, now 21-2, was game but really posed no overall threat to the champion before finally being dropped for good with this straight right hand in the 7th round. Moloney would beat the count, but was in no shape to continue,

We know, it happened in a flash.

Got your replays right here. ?

What a statement by @naoyainoue_410. #InoueMoloney pic.twitter.com/mwHaZQeZRb

— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) November 1, 2020

It’s even more impressive that Inoue had basically been inactive for almost a year, since winning the World Boxing Super Series finale’ and the Unified 118 lb. championship, by decisioning Nonito Donaire last November in Japan.

Moloney had a minor advantage of the setting and surroundings in the Top Rank Boxing “bubble.” This, as he had fought and won by stoppage in the MGM Grand Convention Center back in June.

However he found out, as all of the Monster’s other of the opponents have, that Inoue is a much more dangerous and special fighter than anyone he had been in the ring with, previously.

For his part, the champ posted in Japanese on Social media late Saturday night (loosely translated into English) that he was thrilled with coming to America and winning big,

“There was a lot of pressure, such as the unattended match in Corona, the first match in Las Vegas, the hotel isolation, and so on, but the result was a convincing way to win! This is the beginning of Chapter 2. I will do my best to reach higher heights, so please look forward to it!”

Now, we wait to see if Bob Arum and Top Rank make another big bout in the USA for Inoue in the first part of 2021.