A CLEARLY overmatched No.-ranked Warlito Parrenas was demolished by Naoya “The Monster” Inoue, who returned to action after a 52-week layoff due to rehabilitation following hand surgery.
The Japanese showed no ill-effects of his long absence from the ring as he scored a devastating second-round TKO over the overmatched Filipino challenger at the Arriake Coliseum in Tokyo.
The unbeaten 22-year-old Inoue methodically cut down Parrenas at the start of the second round, with the Filipino barely beating the mandatory eight count on wobbly feet and with glazed eyes. A volley of punches from Inoue dropped Parrenas for a second time in the round, following a right straight and a vicious left hook.
Referee Michael Ortega didn’t waste time in calling a halt to the one-sided bout at 1:20 of Round 2.
It was the 32-year-old Parrenas’ first loss in an eight-fight winning streak. He fell to 24-7-1 with 21 knockouts, while Inoue remained unbeaten and upped his record to 9-0 with 8 knockouts.
In a post-fight interview, Inoue said he is interested in a unification bout.
“I was itching all this year and trained like hell and I am relieved with the result. It was a great experience. I would like to fight in the United States too, if offers come along,” he said.
Inoue is the first Japanese boxer to win two world titles in just eight fights at the end of last year, when he knocked out defending champion Omar Narvaez of Argentina, also in just two rounds. However, he injured his hand in the Narvaez bout and had surgery last March.
In a post on Facebook, Parrenas apologized to his fans for the defeat. “Sorry guys. He was very strong and quick.”