Japan’s “Monster” Inoue is ready to rampage through the super-bantamweight division
Japan’s Naoya Inoue made Friday his move to the super-bantamweight boxing division. He now wants to be undisputed world champion again, one month after winning all bantamweight belts.
Inoue, also known as “Monster”, was the unbeaten world bantamweight champion for the first time in 50 years when he defeated Paul Butler of England in December. He added the WBO title to his WBC and WBA belts.
He claimed that he had already decided not to defend his titles but would take on a new challenge at super-bantamweight. Negotiations are underway for his next fight.
Inoue, a 29-year-old, has a 24-0 mark with 21 knockouts.
Inoue stated, “It’ll be a challenge against enemies who are bigger than I but this is what the real fight is coming up.” He previously held the world titles at super-flyweight light-flyweight.
“I am really excited about it.”
Inoue defeated Butler in Tokyo’s 11th round to become the bantamweight world champion undisputed since Enrique Pinder of Panama in 1972.
He is also only the ninth undisputed champion in the world since 2004’s four-belt era, and the first bantamweight champion.
Inoue believes he has the potential to write a new chapter of boxing history.
He stated, “Even though I have moved up to super bantamweight, it is still my goal to be the undisputed champ.”
“To be the undisputed champion in both weight classes would be an incredible achievement and a world first, and that is what I want to strive for.”
– ‘Final chapter’ –
Inoue said that he and his team wouldn’t be drawn on who his next opponent might be, but that he would take on any top fighter immediately.
Murodjon Akhmadaliev from Uzbekistan is currently the WBA and IBF world champion at super-bantamweight, while Stephen Fulton of America holds the WBC or WBO belts.
Inoue indicated that the super-bantamweight category had “a lot of talent” and that he was willing to wait until he reaches the top.
Inoue said that he plans to retire at 35.
“I believe it’s fair for me to say that super-bantamweight is the last chapter.”
Takuma Inoue, Inoue’s younger brother is also a professional boxer and previously held the WBC interim world bantamweight title.
Inoue the older said that he would like to see Inoue challenge his brother for one of his old belts, once he has vacated them.
He said, “It’s always been my dream for me to see us both become world champions.”
“I am vacating my titles to move up to super-bantamweight and I believe that this goal can be a reality in near future.”
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