Naoya Inoue has proven himself as a worthy contender for the pound-for-pound throne in recent years, becoming a two-division undisputed champion. Now, amid rumours that the Japanese sensation will advance to the featherweight division, his promoter, Bob Arum, has mapped out a three-fight plan for the undefeated superstar.
‘The Monster’ knocked out Paul Butler in late 2022 to become the undisputed ruler of the bantamweight division and the first undisputed champion in the history of Japanese boxing.
However, his run at super-bantamweight is one that appears to have impressed fans the most, dispatching of both Stephen Fulton and Marlon Tapales with ease to pick up a second undisputed crown within 12 months of his first.
Since then, there have been calls for Inoue to test himself at featherweight but the 31-year-old has maintained that the 122lb division is optimal weight and has continued to campaign in the division with title defences against Luis Nery and TJ Doheny during 2024.
A press conference is set to take place tomorrow to confirm that Inoue will fight undefeated Australian and current IBF mandatory challenger, Sam Goodman, on December 24th.
Although, whispers of a potential all-Japanese showdown with bantamweight poster boy Junto Nakatani for 2025 are what fans are most excited about.
Speaking with Boxing News, legendary promoter Bob Arum admitted that he is ‘working on’ a clash between Inoue and Nakatani, before revealing that it would take place in three fights’ time – meaning Inoue’s move to featherweight is unlikely to happen next year.
“We’re working on it [Inoue-Nakatani],”
“Hopefully, they both keep winning. And it will be the biggest fight in the history of boxing in Japan.”
“It’d be the hottest ticket ever for boxing in Japan,”
“The hope is Inoue fights in December, and then we bring him over to the United States in April, maybe on the same card as Nakatani. And then have them fight each other in the Tokyo Dome in the biggest fight in the history of Japan.”
Official confirmation of Inoue-Goodman is expected tomorrow, with WBO bantamweight champion Yoshiki Takei rumoured to be defending his title in the highlight of the undercard for the Christmas Eve event.
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