Japanese Naoya Inoue (was once more expeditious as he stopped Emmanuel Rodriguez in the second rounds to win IBF world bantamweight title on Saturday night.
Inoue and Rodriguez both came out strongly in the opening round, and it was a captivating, competitive round from which Inoue had the best on his rival, but Rodriguez did not want to let himself be imposed.
But in the second attack, Inoue first sent Rodriguez with a left hook to the chin, and a second time after touching his rival with vicious body shots. From that moment, Rodriguez, who was no longer in the game got up, but he joined the canvas a third time. The referee gave him another account before ending the fight at 1:19 of the second round.
“I came out looking to perform aggressively. I always felt like I could knock him out and that’s what I fought for.” Inoue said.
“Rodriguez also came out strong in the first round and he gave me a lot of pressure. I did not know how the fight would end in the first round.” Inoue added
Inoue had many fans who made the trip from Japan to Glasgow for this fight, but he also won the support of local fans.
“This is a ring where I felt like home. Everyone here made me feel like I was at home, and I appreciate Glasgow.” Inoue said.
Naoya Inoue is keen to fight Nonto Donaire. (Source:www.goodnewspilipinas.com)
The 26-year-old Japanese will have the chance to add more gold to his collection when he takes on veteran WBA Super champion Nonito Donaire in the WBSS final later this year.
“Nonito shows a very good career record and he is a very good fighter. I have a lot of respect for him. I do not know how I am going to face it but I will go back to the table and see for a strategy,” Inoue said.
Donaire on the other hand, who was at ringside for the fight, added: “Just incredible. He did what he needed to do,”
“This is what we’ve been waiting for. We’ve always felt that we were going to meet each other. It was destiny for us. Now it’s happening.” Donaire added.
