Luis ‘Pantera’ Nery declared for the first time after being knocked out by Naoya Inoue in the sixth round of the fight where the undisputed junior featherweight championship was at stake and assured that he leaves Japan happy despite the defeat.
In statements to Zanfer, Pantera Nery expressed that He felt satisfaction for being the first one he sent to the canvas to Inoue, but admitted that his mistake in the fight was having fallen into the Japanese Monster’s game and neglecting his defense.
“I am leaving happy (…). I came to fight and I said it from the beginning, he knocks me out or I knock him out. I knocked him down in the first round, when I hit him he hugged me, when it was bad he left me. He caught me and knocked me out, it’s over. But really I leave with a good satisfaction of having won twice here and then knocking out the champion Pound for pound, I feel happy despite having lost,” he said.
“I really fell into his game a little bit, I think that was my mistake, having fallen and opening myself, not having kept myself closed. My defense failed, I have had problems in my defense. I just opened up, I failed, my strategy wasn’t the best. He has a good punch, yes, but nothing out of this world, he really grabbed me with his hands down and knocked me down, the first rounds I was able to hold on without any problem, but that was it, my defense is a little lacking,” he added.
The fight started with Pantera Nery knocking down the champion for the first time in his career with a left hook. After recovering, Naoya Inoue sent his opponent to the canvas in the second, fifth and sixth rounds to take the victory over the Mexican, who neglected his defense a bit trying to seek the knockout.
With this result, The Mexican was defeated for the second time in his career, lost the opportunity to become undisputed champion and could not win for the third time in Japan, although he appreciated the fans’ dedication. For now it is unknown what his next steps will be.
“Really I have many fans, now that I left the ring many people love me, people crying for my defeat. I don’t feel bad, I feel calm and I leave with a good taste in my mouth despite having lost,” she concluded.
Luis ‘Pantera’ Nery, 28, almost managed to defeat the Japanese in the first round, but ended up knocked out in the sixth round. The Mexican He has a record of 35 wins (27 by fast track) and two setbacks in his professional career.
For her part, Naoya Inoue, 30, defended his undisputed junior featherweight championship for the first time and confirmed his place as one of the best boxers in the pound-for-pound rankings. The Japanese has a record of 27 victories (24 of them by knockout) and no defeats.
Keep reading:
· Naoya Inoue analyzes complicated fight with Pantera Nery: “Anyone can fall”
· Luis ‘Pantera’ Nery is sure that he will beat Naoya Inoue: “I’m going to make it a mess”
· Naoya Inoue and Luis ‘Pantera’ Nery agree to fight for May, according to reports