Naoya Inoue lived up to his nickname 'The Monster' by ripping through former opponent Emmanuel Rodriguez like a knife through butter.

Three years ago this week things got personal when Rodriguez's trainer William Cruz shoved Inoue's father Shingo Inoue during a media workout.

Understandably Inoue - whose father also doubles up as his trainer - wasn't too happy with the way his family member had been treated and swore revenge.

The Japanese star, 28, took on the previously unbeaten Puerto Rican in the semi-final of the World Boxing Super Series in May 2019.

And with the announcement that Inoue will face Nonito Donaire in a rematch this summer, one Twitter user took the opportunity to share footage of one of his finest performances to date.

User Steve Boxman posted the clip and wrote: "3 years ago today, Naoya Inoue ripped through Emmanuel Rodriguez in 2 rounds to claim the IBF and ring bantamweight titles.

"In the build up, Williams Cruz the trainer of Rodriguez shoved Inoue’s father and the “The Monster” wanted blood!"

The video has been retweeted more than 300 times, liked by almost 2,500 people and viewed a staggering 95,000 times.

WATCH: Naoya Inoue destroys Emmanuel Rodriguez in two rounds

Check out the video below...

The fight took place on Saturday May 18 at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow as the former three-weight world champion travelled to Scotland for the first time.

Unsurprisingly both fighters came out firing in the opening round, and it was a close, competitive contest, with Inoue probably getting the better of it, but Rodriguez also gave a good account of himself.

However it all unravelled for the latter shortly after that as Inoue floored him with a left hook for the first time in the fight inside the first 30 seconds of round two, before doing the same again with a couple of nasty body shots, at which point Rodriguez looked like he wanted to be anywhere else but there.

But to be fair he gritted his teeth and tried to continue, only for a flurry of punches to put him down for a third time in the fight.

And while he finally managed to get back to his feet in time to beat the count, referee Michael Alexander felt like he had seen enough already.

Inoue won the IBF belt off Rodriguez as he moved on to the final against Donaire, while he also added the Ring crown to his WBA (Regular) bantamweight title.

Inoue said via a translator: "I came out looking to be aggressive, and I kept that going and I did well tonight.

"He won the first round and I didn't know how it was going to turn out after that.

"I felt very much at home; everyone here made me feel at home. Donaire has had a great career and is a great fighter. I respect him and I look forward to fighting him."

 Donaire, who was sat ringside, added: "He was incredible, he did what he had to do.

"This is what we've been waiting for. We've always felt we were going to meet each other, it's destiny. This is what boxing is about, the best fighting the best.

"He's the monster and that's something to figure out."

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