NAOYA INOUE VS. WILLIE PEP
ROUND 7-11 The fight has slowed down a bit, with Inoue pursuing Pep ineffectively and getting outboxed as Pep scores while bouncing in and out of range, side to side. He catches a few hard punches, but his boxing savvy and quick combinations are enough to nullify the effect and keep Inoue in check. There have been no more knockdowns, and Pep has collectively taken rounds 7-11 by scores of 10-9 each. The crowd is amazed by Pep’s boxing display, and not one person has chided the fighters for more action; both are trying to win with everything they have in their arsenal. All three commentators acknowledge that Inoue has hurt Pep throughout the fight, but they all have the Will O’ The Wisp ahead by a wide margin. ROUND 12 Inoue comes out to meet Pep in mid-ring, and Miller has them touch gloves. Inoue’s cut is covered in Vaseline and he is having trouble seeing out of his right eye. Miller takes a long look at that eye and lets them fight. Pep’s incredible stamina is immediately evident – he’s moving as fast as he did in the first round. Inoue is desperately trying to close the gap and unleash on Pep, but he is taking fast counterpunches to his damaged eye. Inoue finally forces Pep into the ropes and punches wildly at him. Pep tries to escape and
crisp right hand that stuns Pep as he’s off-balance. He slips to one knee but bounces up immediately after his glove touches the canvas. Miller rules no knockdown, which draws a wild series of boos from the crowd and hard criticism from the three commentators, who all feel it was a legit knockdown. Pep outscores Inoue in the closing minute to take the round in questionable fashion 10-9 Pep (to the objection of the crowd). The commentators are watching the replays during the one-minute rest time. Gordon: “That was a knockdown, because Pep was hit with a right hand that landed and his glove touched the canvas.” Bernstein and Sugar agree. Inoue’s corner protests vigorously, but the ref’s ruling stands. ROUND 6 Inoue comes out totally invested in the destruction of Pep. He goes all out to rip shots at anything he can hit on Pep’s body. Willie is countering with all the speed and guile he can muster, but he is getting blasted, and his courage and resolve draw applause from the crowd. In one exchange, Pep, fighting for his life, lands the type of hard, chopping right hand and dynamite left hook that dropped Inoue earlier, and the combo opens a cut near Naoya’s right eye. In retaliation, he drops Pep with his own left hook and runs to a neutral corner. Bleeding profusely, he waits as Miller counts over Pep, who is hurt but is in the best shape of his life and arises at eight. The bell rings and Pep walks back to his corner – still a bit stunned, but sturdy. 10-8 Inoue. In Inoue’s corner, his father works on the cut. The ring doctor examines Inoue and lets the fight continue. In Pep’s corner, he is told not to trade anything with Inoue again if he wants to win. Do a paint job on him for the rest of the fight. Pep nods his head in agreement.
Inoue grabs him and throws him back. Miller stops the action for the first time and warns Inoue about rough tactics. Inoue acknowledges the infraction and the fight resumes. Pep is going after that cut eye with jabs and fast one-twos from all angles, opening up the cut again. It’s bleeding badly. Inoue hurts Pep with a vicious left hook to the body and catches another one-two from Pep, who is still on the move. The blood is pouring down Inoue’s chest as he hurts Pep one last time with a right hand at the bell. 10-9 Pep. The crowd is on its feet, cheering wildly for both fighters as the doctor administers to Inoue in his corner. Pep is hoisted onto Gore’s shoulders and is paraded around the ring. Inoue’s corner is reserved and quiet while awaiting the official decision. Diamante signals for the bell to be rung three times after examining the scorecard results. “Ladies and gentlemen, after 12 rounds of championship boxing, how about a hand for both of these warriors.” The Garden crowd responds with applause and affection for both of them. “We have a unanimous decision. All three judges – John McKaie, Harold Lederman and Tony Castellano – all score the fight 117-109 for the winner … and new featherweight champion of the world, Willie Pep!” The crowd approves of the decision, with only a few dissenters among Inoue’s loyal fans. Randy Gordon is now up in the ring with Willie Pep. “Congratulations, Willie, on a superb display of championship boxing.” Pep says, “Randy, this is one of the toughest guys I ever fought. He has my sincere respect and I wish him and all his family the best. They are all classy people and gentlemen. I trained very hard for this fight and toughened my body a lot more to deal with his power. I wish him the best, and me and my team will discuss where I go from here.”
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