Sports

'Monster' Inoue wins 4 major boxing titles in 2 weight categories

TOKYO, Dec 27 (NHK) - Japanese boxing superstar Inoue Naoya has become the second person in the sport's history to win all four major titles in two weight divisions.

The 30-year-old fighter achieved the feat on Tuesday in Tokyo by defeating Marlon Tapales of the Philippines, who held the super bantamweight titles for the World Boxing Association and the International Boxing Federation.

Inoue already holds the titles for the World Boxing Council and the World Boxing Organization.

He initially struggled to breach Tapales's defense, but he landed a flurry of hits in the fourth round and scored the first knockdown. Inoue continued his assault, and floored Tapales with a straight right in the 10th.

Inoue, known to his fans as "Monster," unified all four major bantamweight titles last year, and stepped up to the heavier super bantamweight level this year.

Monster's record rises to 26 wins with 23 knockouts with this victory.

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