Sensational Naoya Inoure demolishes Emmanuel Rodriguez

Naoya Inoue is nicknamed “The Monster” – to me though, he’s the impassive assassin.

Inoue starched Emmanuel Rodriguez at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland Saturday night in the less than five minutes, earning a slot in the finals of West Coast Super Series against Nonito Donaire.

In an exciting opening round, Inoue, seemingly always in a hurry, fired the first punch, a sweeping left hook. Luckily for Rodriguez it missed. Both fighters popped jabs. Inoue (18-0, 16 KOs) landed a couple of rights. He was warming up. Rodriguez (19-1, 12 KOs) took the shots and fired back.

Inoue landed a combination to the head and body. Seconds later, a left caught Rodriguez.

A minute into round two, Inoue, now the IBF bantamweight champion, connected with a solid right and wicked left hook that sent Rodriguez to the canvas for the first time in his career.

Rodriguez got up, but was down again seconds later, courtesy of a vicious body shot. Grimacing, the soon to be ex-champion beat the count. His body language suggested he knew the jig was up. Inoue pounced and fired punches. Rodriguez went down again, He rolled over and pulled himself up, but the referee waved the fight off.

The time was 1:19 seconds into round two.

“I came out looking to perform impressively,” said Inoue. “He came out in the first round and gave me a lot of pressure. I felt very comfortable here in Glasgow.”

Four division champion Nonito Donaire, who will face Inoue in the finals, was impressed by Inoue’s performance.

“He is the monster,” said Donaire with a smile.“He’s a great fighter. He has great power.”