Following Naoya Inoue’s success in a fourth weight class, some in the sport have suggested he jump up even further for the ultimate test against hard-hitting Gervonta Davis.
Whilst plenty of fans wave off the contest as unrealistic, leading names in boxing, including Showtime’s Stephen Espinoza and Floyd Mayweather, have identified it as a possibility for the future.
For it to happen, Japan’s Inoue would have to jump up a further three weight classes. It’s something his promoter Bob Arum believes may be a step too far.
Speaking to Little Giant Boxing, Arum brought the fantasy match-up back to ground level.
“I mean, it’s wonderful but at this particular point, it’s 122 pound guy against a 140 pound guy.
Inoue is great with guys his own size or guys a little bigger, but at some particular point the size really matters. That’s why they have these classifications for.”
There’s no telling what division ‘The Monster’ – who is now 30-years-old – can touch before reaching his ceiling, but a straight jump to 135lbs for ‘Tank’, or even a catchweight, would be a path not many would advise him to go down.
In the meantime, he plans to continue to add to an already excellent legacy.
Arum confirmed that Inoue would unify his two belts with the two of Marlon Tapales next, crowning an undisputed super-bantamweight champion.
“You just look at Inoue and you realise what a great fighter he is. Plus a tremendous puncher, so we’re gonna have fun with him. I guess his next fight is gonna be against the Filipino, Tapales, who has two titles.”
As for ‘Tank’ Davis, there’s a chance he gets in the ring towards the end of the year after a brief prison stint that followed his career-best victory over Ryan Garcia.