A shocking upset shakes the boxing world
In a dramatic turn of events, Japanese boxing icon Naoya Inoue suffered his first professional defeat at the hands of Filipino warrior John Riel Casimero after a tense 10-round bout. The fight, held in front of a sold-out crowd in Tokyo, ended in a majority decision victory for Casimero—sparking immediate controversy. Moments after the result was announced, Inoue took to social media, posting the official scorecard and accusing the referee of blatant bias. His reaction sent shockwaves through the boxing community.
The war in the ring: ten rounds of fire and fury
The highly anticipated match lived up to its billing in terms of intensity. Inoue started strong, displaying his trademark speed and precise combinations. He dominated the early rounds, especially the first three, where his technical superiority was evident. Casimero, however, refused to be overwhelmed. By round four, he adjusted his strategy, using wild angles and unpredictable movement to frustrate Inoue. The Filipino fighter landed several hard body shots in the middle rounds that clearly affected Inoue’s rhythm and power.
By the tenth round, both fighters were bruised, bleeding, and exhausted. Casimero poured on the pressure in the final moments, landing a powerful left hook that staggered Inoue. Although Inoue didn’t go down, the judges appeared impressed by Casimero’s relentless aggression.
The controversial scorecard and Inoue’s furious reaction
The scorecards read: 96-94 Casimero, 97-93 Casimero, and 95-95, giving Casimero a majority decision win. Immediately after the announcement, Inoue’s team contested the results. Inoue himself took to X (formerly Twitter), posting the scorecard along with a message in both Japanese and English:
“6 rounds clearly mine. Illegal shots, no calls. The referee let it happen. This is not boxing. This is cheating.”
He included video clips showing moments where Casimero appeared to strike behind the head, clinch excessively, and even throw punches after the break—none of which resulted in any point deductions. The images quickly went viral, with hashtags like #InoueRobbed and #RingJustice trending worldwide.
A rare moment of emotion: “The King cried”
Fans were stunned to see the usually stoic Inoue in tears during the post-fight interview. Choking up, he said:
“I trained harder than ever. I gave my best. But tonight, it was taken from me, not earned. That’s why I’m crying. Not because I lost—but because it wasn’t fair.”
It was a rare and emotional display from a fighter known for his calm and calculated approach. For many, it highlighted the human cost of a controversial defeat.
Casimero responds: “He couldn’t handle the heat”
John Riel Casimero, on the other hand, showed no sympathy. In the post-fight press conference, he dismissed Inoue’s accusations as “excuses.”
“He can post whatever he wants. He couldn’t handle the heat. I beat him fair and square. He got exposed.”
Casimero also added fuel to the fire by calling for a rematch—but only if it happens on neutral ground. “No Japan. Let’s do it in the U.S., or Saudi. Anywhere but his backyard.”
Experts weigh in: Did the referee really miss the mark?
The boxing community remains divided. Former world champion Timothy Bradley, speaking on ESPN, commented:
“It was a close fight. I gave Casimero the edge in the last four rounds. But I also saw fouls that weren’t called. The referee should have warned Casimero at least once.”
Other analysts argued that while Casimero was rough, Inoue didn’t do enough in the later rounds to secure a clear win.
What’s next? A rematch looms
Despite the heartbreak, Inoue’s team has already hinted at triggering a rematch clause. Promoters are reportedly eyeing a neutral venue, such as Dubai or Las Vegas, for a potential second showdown later this year.
One thing is certain: this rivalry is far from over. With tempers flaring, accusations flying, and fans demanding justice, the rematch could be even bigger than the original fight.
For now, the boxing world watches—and The King, for once, has tears in his eyes.
