Posted on 01/13/2023
By: Sean Crose
They name him “The Monster” for a cause, as he’s maybe one of the best pound for pound fighter on the planet. At 29 years of age, Naoya Inoue has earned world titles in three weight divisions with out struggling a single defeat. Most not too long ago, the 24-0 fighter turned the undisputed bantamweight champion of the world by stopping a manner over his head Paul Butler again in December. Now Inoue has introduced that he’s shifting as much as the tremendous bantamweight division, subsequently leaving his undisputed bantamweight championship behind. Meaning he’ll be vacating the IBF, WBC, WBO and WBA bantamweight titles.
“The true battle begins from right here,” mentioned Inoue, by way of Kyoto, at a Friday press convention in his native Japan “I’m very excited.” Naoya gave the impression to be his determination to maneuver as much as tremendous bantamweight realistically, indicating that giant success within the division gained’t come in a single day. “I’m assured that I can tackle top-level tremendous bantam boxers, even at current,” he claimed, “however it is going to take some time to make myself actually unbeatable.” Though Naoya has polished off all however three of his opponents throughout the distance, a fighter’s energy isn’t at all times going to hold over to increased weight divisions.
With that being mentioned, Inoue made it clear that tremendous bantamweight would be the last vacation spot in his Corridor of Fame worthy journey. Nonetheless, Inoue’s purpose in his new division is to as soon as once more change into an undisputed champion. Noting that he’s in no rush, the person indicated that being a two division undisputed titlist would put him into the higher echelon of boxing notables. Inoue has not but remarked on who his first tremendous bantamweight opponent shall be, although it seems unlikely that he’ll soar up and problem one of many division’s world champions straight away.
As issues presently stand, Inoue must get by way of Murodjon Akhmadaliev and Stephen Fulton if he have been to change into undisputed at this new weight class. Akhmadaliev holds the WBA and IBF titles whereas Fulton is in possession of the WBC and WBO straps. Once more, nonetheless, Inoue is evident that he’s in no rush and issues occur shortly in boxing. If and when he will get an opportunity to combat for a world title at tremendous bantamweight, Inoue might be going through somebody aside from the present titlists. Regardless of who he faces sooner or later, nonetheless, there’s little question Inoue shall be bringing his A-game, which is at all times an especially harmful factor.