Japanese boxer Takuma Inoue won the World Boxing Council (WBC) bantamweight (53.5 kg) world title after overcoming the resistance of his compatriot and former kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa at the Toyota Arena, Tokyo.
"The results of the 12-round fight, the final score of the judges determined the victory for Takuma Inoue: 116-112, 116-112, and 117-111," said the WBC statement on its official website, which was monitored in Jakarta, Wednesday.
Nasukawa utilized his speed and powerful jab to dominate the second, fourth, and fifth rounds.
His initial attacks raised concerns. However, Inoue's boxing maturity emerged in the second half of the fight.
In the sixth and seventh rounds, Inoue controlled the fight with smart, close-range boxing technique, landing effective strikes and overcoming Nasukawa's power.
The key to victory was determined in the final rounds (10 to 12), where Inoue showed more boxing experience, neutralizing Nasukawa's pressure with confidence and strategic dominance in close quarters.
In the main event of the boxing event organized by Teiken Promotions, Inoue, a former world champion and brother of superstar Naoya Inoue, proved that his extensive experience was a deciding factor, especially in the title-deciding rounds.
