Boxing: Naoya Inoue stops Jason Maloney in 7th

Naoya “Monster” Inoue showed why he is largely regarded as one of the pound-for-pound greats in world boxing at the moment, clinically disposing of Australian Jason Maloney earlier today (AEDT).

The bout, which headlined the Top Rank promoted card, took place in The Bubble at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, USA.

Inoue’s WBA & IBF titles were on the line and his boxing was a cut above Maloney’s and he dropped the Aussie in the sixth round. It was just the second time Maloney had been dropped in his professional career.

 

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SHOW. CLOSED. 😳 @naoyainoue_410 did it like no one else in the Bantamweight division can. #InoueMoloney

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By the seventh, Inoue was well in his rythyn and crushed Maloney with a straight right. Maloney attempted to get up but on wobbly legs, the referee had no choice but to end the contest.

Twenty-seven-year-old Inoue moves his record to 20-0 while Maloney drops 21-2.

Fairy or unfairly, the lighter divisions are often criticised for their lack of knockout power but Inoue is a clear exception to the rule having won via stoppage in 17 of his 20 career bouts.

Results:

• Naoya Inoue def. Jason Maloney (Australia) via TKO, Rd 7, 2:59
• Mikaela Mayer def. Ewa Brodnicka via Decision (Unanimous)
• Robson Conceicao via. Luis Coria Decision (Unanimous)
• Julian Rodriguez def. Jose Eduardo Lopez Rodriguez via TKO, Rd 3, 2:10
• Andy Hiraoka def. Rickey Edwards via TKO, Rd 4, 2:20
• Jared Anderson def. Luis Eduardo Pena via TKO, Rd 1, 2:46