By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

WBA/IBF bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue was named Boxer of the Year by the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) and Sports Writers Club on Friday in Tokyo, Japan.

“The Monster” Naoya won the Muhammad Ali trophy by defeating Nonito Donaire in a grueling bout this November to his credit.

Technique award was rendered to WBO 115-pound titlist Kazuto Ioka who acquired his fourth belt by halting Aston Palicte in ten to the vacant WBO belt and kept it against the mandatory challenger Jeyvier Cintron.

Valuable Victory award went to WBA middleweight ruler Ryota Murata, who regained the belt by stopping Rob Brant in two and disposed of Steven Butler in five. Murata was also given the Knockout award thanks to a couple of impressive triumphs.

Unbeaten flyweight prospect Junto Nakatani won the Rookie citations due to his winning streak from his pro debut.

The Inoue-Donaire battle was unanimously elected Fight of the Year.

WBO 108-pound champ Tsunami Tenkai was named Female Boxer of the Year in two successive years.

Inoue and Ioka were not in attendance at the ceremony.

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