Inoue Scores Vicious KO of Payano
It didn’t take long for Naoya Inoue (17-0, 15 KOs) to live up to his nickname, “Monster” in the first round of the Bantamweight tournament of the World Boxing Super Series.
Standing across the ring from Inoue at the Arena, Yokohama in Kanagawa, Japan was battle-tested former titleholder, Juan Carlos Payano (20-2, 9 KOs).
Payano is known for being a rough-and-rugged fighter and was someone who was expected to provide Inoue with some rounds in only the Japanese fighters second contest at 118 pounds.
But, just like his Bantamweight debut against Jamie McDonnell, Inoue finished things in the first round. Tonight’s result was more devastating than the McDonnell fight as Inoue blasted Payano with a one-two combination that sent the Dominican veteran crashing to the canvas in a stiff position.
It’s the type of finish that will surely send shockwaves throughout the Bantamweight division and will certainly put the other competitors in the tournament on notice.
“I’m very happy I could finish the fight like this,” said Inoue after the fight through a translator. “This is just the first round, we still have a second round and I’ll continue to show my best.”
The second seed in the tournament, Inoue now awaits the winner of Puerto Rico’s Emmanuel Rodriguez and Australia’s Jason Moloney.
Header photo by World Boxing Super Series/Instagram
