“Yoshiki Takei Clinches WBO Bantamweight Title in Tokyo Dome Showdown!”

Yoshiki Takei of Japan secured victory over Australian Jason Moloney, the reigning WBO bantamweight world champion, in a unanimous decision on Monday at the Tokyo Dome. The match, part of the undercard for Naoya “Monster” Inoue’s super-bantamweight world title bout against Mexico’s Luis Nery, witnessed Takei’s strong start countered by Moloney’s resurgence in his bid for a second title defense. Despite Moloney’s resilience, Takei, a former kickboxer undefeated in eight previous boxing matches by knockout, claimed the title amidst the fervent cheers of the 45,000-plus audience.

Reflecting on his win, the 27-year-old Takei admitted to the challenge posed by Moloney, acknowledging his opponent’s strength and crediting him for his own grit and determination during the bout. Moloney, who had clinched the vacant title in May of the previous year, saw his record diminish to 29-3, with 27 victories by knockout.

In other matches on the undercard, Takuma Inoue, younger brother of Naoya Inoue, defended his WBA bantamweight title with a unanimous decision triumph over compatriot Sho Ishida, despite an early knockdown in the first round. Similarly, Seigo Yuri Akui retained his WBA flyweight title with a unanimous decision victory against fellow Japanese boxer Taku Kuwahara.

The event marked boxing’s return to the Tokyo Dome, a significant venue where, in February 1990, underdog James “Buster” Douglas famously defeated undefeated heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, one of the sport’s most memorable upsets.

The main event featured Naoya Inoue, with an unbeaten record of 26-0, defending his four super-bantamweight titles against Nery, a former two-division world champion.