Stephen Fulton Vs. Naoya Inoue Preliminary And Undercard Live Results, Recaps: Robeisy Ramirez Stops Satoshi Shimizu To Retain His WBO Featherweight Title
Stephen Fulton and Naoya Inoue square off on July 25th, 2023, in a super-bantamweight clash from the Ariake Arena, Tokyo, Japan.
Inoue, a three-division world champion, recently became the undisputed champion at bantamweight, a feat that hadn’t been accomplished in 50 years.
With an impressive record of 24 wins, 21 of which came by knockout, the Japanese star is poised for another victory.
In contrast, Fulton is the current unified super-bantamweight champion. He puts his WBO and WBC titles on the line, as one fighter will lose their undefeated record.
Follow the Live Results, Recaps, and Highlights below, provided by FIGHT SPORTS
Live Results: Main Card 4:30 a.m ET
Robeisy Ramirez vs. Satoshi Shimizu – featherweight
Shimizu went on the front foot in front of his home crowd in the opening round, as Ramirez started cautiously with a high guard.
Ramirez did let fly with a few body shots, showing that he did have the speed advantage, in a cagey first round.
Shimizu’s offense left him too exposed, as Ramirez responded with powerful combinations in the second, with the jab going awry.
Shimizu felt the power as his shots, in comparison, looked tame in a round that went to Ramirez.
Teeing away 🎯@RobeisyRamirez | #FultonInoue pic.twitter.com/QrNZDanqI2
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) July 25, 2023
A combination of hooks, jabs and uppercuts all landed from Ramirez, while Shimizu continued to hit below the belt as the referee cautioned the Japanese fighter.
With all three rounds going to Ramirez, it was one-way traffic. Shimizu was backed up against the ropes in the fourth, as Ramirez sought a stoppage.
Although Shimizu made it to the end of the fourth, it was all over in the fifth. A straight right and two left uppercuts sent Shimizu to the floor.
The Japanese beat the count but the fight was stopped after a heavy assault that followed.
Kicked it into high gear 💨@RobeisyRamirez secures defense No. 1 🏆 pic.twitter.com/TQJxJZdVjD
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) July 25, 2023
Victory meant Ramirez defended his WBO belt for the first time, as his record went to 13-1 with eight knockouts.
Official Result: Robeisy Ramirez def. Satoshi Shimizu via a fifth-round TKO.
Kanamu Sakama vs Ryu Horikawa – light flyweight
The first two rounds were a high-intensity affair, as both fighters were looking to establish their dominance.
Sakama nailed his opponent with an uppercut and right hook to the head to halt Horikawa’s momentum, who had started well with his jab.
Sakama pressed the action in the third, as he let loose with combinations to the head and body. In particular, a left to the body hurt Horikawa, as Sakama turned up the pressure.
HEATIN' UP 🔥#FultonInoue | @ESPNPlus pic.twitter.com/ketKjsE9yC
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) July 25, 2023
Sakama’s speed was causing Horikawa problems, as the former evaded his jab to rattle a body shot in the fourth.
In the second half, Horikawa found some success with a couple of counters. However, Sakama responded with combinations to the head.
Horikawa attempted to increase his output in the sixth, but the eye-catching shots were coming from Sakama. Knowing that he was behind, Horikawa had his best round in the seventh.
Horikawa exchanged with Sakama, knowing he needed a stoppage to win. But by opening himself up, Horikawa paid the price in the final round.
A huge overhand right to the head hurt Horikawa, as he staggered towards the ropes. Before Sakama could put in the final blow, the referee stopped the fight.
Closed the show in style 🌟@Kanamu_Sakama | #FultonInoue pic.twitter.com/WbNmQUteSw
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) July 25, 2023
Horikawa fell to the canvas with blood pouring from his nose. The former did eventually get up, but it was Sakama who took the plaudits as he moved his record to 8-0, with seven knockouts.
Official Result: Kanamu Sakama def. Ryu Horikawa via an eight-round TKO
Yoshiki Takei def. Ronnie Baldonado via a third-round KO
The sound of that body shot 😮💨@Tankiti000 | #FultonInoue pic.twitter.com/7wlCuASgQw
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) July 25, 2023
Live Results: Early Prelims
Chihiro Iwashita def. Hiroyuki Takahara via a fourth-round TKO
Taiga Imanaga def. Hebi Marapu via a split decision: 80-72, 75-76, 77-74
Masato Shinoda def. Yuki Kajitani via a third-round TKO
Kenta Yamakawa def. Ryosuke Nakamura via a second-round TKO
Takero Kitano def. Kenta Kawakami via a second-round TKO