Inoue overpowers Rodriguez to retain WBO belt

Naoya "Monster" Inoue (13-0, 11 KOs) retained his WBO super flyweight title for the fifth time when he knocked out mandatory challenger Ricardo Rodriguez (16-4, 5 KOs) in the third round on Sunday at Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo, Japan.

 Inoue was too strong and fast for the Mexican from the opening bell. The Japanese puncher dropped Rodriguez twice in the third and he was counted out at 1:08 of the round.

Also on the card, IBF interim light flyweight champion Milan Melindo (36-2, 13 KOs) stopped IBF champion Akira Yaegashi (25-6, 13 KOs) in two minutes 45 seconds of the first round.

It was so surprising the way Melindo, not regarded as a hard-puncher, quickly put away Yaegashi, who is well-known for his toughness.

The Filipino fighter dropped Yaegashi three times before referee Eddie Hernandez saved the Japanese veteran from further punishment.