Inoue triumphs; Casimero unimpressed

MANILA, Philippines — Super WBA/IBF bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue was hardly threatened in mowing down overrated Australian challenger Jason Moloney in Las Vegas yesterday morning (Manila time) and even as the Japanese Monster scored a decisive seventh round knockout, neither WBO titleholder Johnriel Casimero nor MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons was impressed.

Inoue flustered Moloney with a barrage of blows, finding an easy target that stood squarely in his line of fire. The Monster ripped piercing left jabs through Moloney’s defense, connected with dizzying 1-2-3 combinations, unveiled a new weapon in the uppercut and was in complete control from the start. Occasionally, Moloney found the mark with his overhand right and in the fifth round, backed Inoue into the ropes. But there was never a doubt who was the superior fighter. Moloney couldn’t do enough to win a single round.

In the sixth, Moloney unleashed a double left jab and Inoue countered with a left hook that brought the Australian down for an eight count. He barely survived the round. Inoue knew it was just a matter of time and in the seventh, began to showboat by throwing up his arms. At the sound of the 10-second clapper, Inoue delivered a right hook that landed flush on Moloney’s jaw. Referee Kenny Bayless counted to eight then waved it off as Moloney couldn’t get up after struggling to regain his feet.

Moloney, who was floored by Filipino journeyman Danilo Gabisay in Melbourne in 2015, made Inoue look better than he was. Whatever flaws Inoue showed defensively weren’t magnified because of Moloney’s predictable style. The Australian rarely pressured the Japanese as he was repeatedly outgunned. Inoue didn’t give Moloney much of a chance to show his wares.

Casimero, who has called out Inoue to a showdown after their fight was postponed last April due to the pandemic, said he expected the ending. He watched the fight on TV in his Ormoc hometown. “Inoue, sabi nila malakas ka,” said Casimero on social media. “Hindi mo man lang nasaktan kalaban mo, hahaha. Alam nyo, guys, kung bakit takot si Tatang Bob (Arum) at Inoue (kasi) Quadro Alas lang malakas. Ang tagal nakakuha ng isda si Turtle at pareho taga dagat mga mahinang nilalang.” Casimero has renamed Inoue the Japanese Turtle.

Gibbons said Inoue’s defense was far from top form but Moloney couldn’t capitalize. If Casimero fought Inoue instead of Moloney, the outcome would’ve been different. “Inoue’s defense sucked,” said Gibbons. “If Casimero fought instead of Moloney, it would’ve been Casimero by knockout. Inoue’s not the same after the (Nonito) Donaire fight.”