By Jake Donovan
Naoya Inoue made the first defense of his 108 lb. title, battering overmatched challenger Samartiek Kokietgym in 11 rounds Friday evening in Tokyo, Japan.
The bout served as the chief support to the World flyweight championship between Akira Yaegashi and Roman Gonzalez.
Inoue was as dominant in his first title defense as he has been in every other bout since turning pro in October '12. The 21-year old enjoyed significant advantages in height, reach and overall skill, putting them all to proper use as Kokietgym was overwhelmed across the board.
Worse for the visiting challenger from Thailand was that the defending champion never slowed down. Inoue poured on the attack round after round, landing at an alarmingly high rate, most of which were power punches that slowed Kokietgym to a crawl.
The beatdown was brought to a merciful end in round 11. Kokietgym was under siege from a hailstorm of punches before finally rescued from absorbing further - and unnecessary - punishment.
Inoue cruises to 7-0 (6KOs) with the win. The rail-thin titlist made the first defense of the belt he viciously acquired in a one-sided drubbing of Adrian Hernandez, the top rated fighter at 108 lb. who had no answers in watching his second title reign end with a whimper in April.
Kokietgym falls to 17-5 (5KOs), as he is now 0-4 outside of Thailand. The loss ends a nine-fight win streak, comprised entirely against pedestrian opposition.
NON-TELEVISED UNDERCARD (ALL RESULTS FROM ASIANBOXING.INFO)
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com, as well as a member of Transnational Boxing Ratings Board and the Boxing Writers Association of America. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
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