ESPN+ / Lemino Boxing: Naoya Inoue vs. Ye Joon Kim & Jin Sasaki vs. Shoki Sakai RBR

Just my thoughts...

1: Hirano 10-9 Shimomachi
2: Hirano 10-9 Shimomachi

 

2-0 Hirano. A lot more punching, and a lot more landing by both guys.
That was a very close round, but I think Hirano edged it.

 

2-1 Hirano. Shimomachi edged the third by making Hirano miss a lot, while himself landing some of those counters he has aiming for from the opening bell.

 

Just my thoughts...

1: Hirano 10-9 Shimomachi
2: Hirano 10-9 Shimomachi
3: Hirano 9-10 Shimomachi - Very Close

 

2-2 Big right hook counter sends Hirano to the mat, but ref rules it a slip. I really want to see that replay. Hirano is struggling with the range now.

 

Replay in and it was a clear knockdown! Hirano was off balance by overextending himself when throwing a straight right to Shimomachis stomach, and got caught with a check hook.

 

Just my thoughts...

1: Hirano 10-9 Shimomachi
2: Hirano 10-9 Shimomachi
3: Hirano 9-10 Shimomachi - Very Close
4: Hirano 9-10 Shimomachi - Hirano touched his gloves on the canvas but not ruled a KD

 

3-2 Hirano.
A little headbutt in the 5th, seemingly the first of the night. Shimomachi ends the round with a repeat check hook that sent Hirano down in the 4th, but Hirano stays on his feet this time. Another close round.

 

Just my thoughts...

1: Hirano 10-9 Shimomachi
2: Hirano 10-9 Shimomachi
3: Hirano 9-10 Shimomachi - Very Close
4: Hirano 9-10 Shimomachi - Close round again but Hirano touched his gloves on the canvas but not ruled a KD
5: Hirano 9-10 Shimomachi - Close again

 

Just my thoughts...

1: Hirano 10-9 Shimomachi
2: Hirano 10-9 Shimomachi
3: Hirano 9-10 Shimomachi - Very Close
4: Hirano 9-10 Shimomachi - Close round again but Hirano touched his gloves on the canvas but not ruled a KD
5: Hirano 9-10 Shimomachi - Close again
6: Hirano 8-10 Shimomachi - Nice Knockdown - Shimomachi with a knockdown but did get caught a couple of times from Hirano stepping forward.

 

3-3
Another right hook sends Hirano down as they exchange punches, and this time its ruled a knockdown! Not a flash one either, as the previous one.
Right hand from Hirano stuns Shimomachi! Things are heating up.

 

Shimomachi finished the round with his hands very low. He clearly got hurt and fatigue might be setting in.

 

Just my thoughts...

1: Hirano 10-9 Shimomachi
2: Hirano 10-9 Shimomachi
3: Hirano 9-10 Shimomachi - Very Close
4: Hirano 9-10 Shimomachi - Close round again but Hirano touched his gloves on the canvas but not ruled a KD
5: Hirano 9-10 Shimomachi - Close again
6: Hirano 8-10 Shimomachi - Nice Knockdown - Shimomachi with a knockdown but did get caught a couple of times from Hirano stepping forward.
7: Hirano 10-9 Shimomachi - Flashier and faster shots looked to be from Shimomachi but Hirano is still a very live opponent with some good clean work landing of his own.

 

4-3 Hirano, I thought he did more this round than Shimomachi .
Hirano starts off the round applying pressure and lands a solid combination on a tentative Shimomachi. Another combo for Hirano when Shimomachi attempts to initiate.
Shimomachi again lands that very same check hook, but to less effect this time.

 

4-4 Shimomachi took the 8th in my book. A lot of these rounds have been close, but Shimomachi is likely ahead at this point, especially with the KD.