Naoya “Monster” Inoue, the Japanese three-weight world champion and pound-for-pound talent, is two days away from his Las Vegas debut. He will defend his WBA/IBF bantamweight world titles against Australia’s Jason Moloney in his first bout since his 2019 Fight of the Year victory last November against Nonito Donaire.
For as much noise as Inoue (19-0, 16 KOs) makes inside the ring, he is quiet and measured behind the microphone. Inoue and Moloney (21-1, 18 KOs) met face-to-face for the first time Thursday at the final press conference.
This is what they had to say.
Naoya Inoue
“This past year, my injuries have healed very well. With COVID-19, it’s has been tough training, but it has been the same for everyone else. We still have to go out there and perform at a high level. I see him as a high-level, all-around fighter.”
“There are a lot of expectations, and I want to meet those expectations. I take those big expectations, and I use them as motivation and power to keep getting better with every fight.”
Jason Moloney
“I think that everything happens for a reason, and that loss that I suffered against {Emmanuel} Rodriguez showed me how much I want this. I will not let myself lose again. On Saturday night, nothing will stop me, and I will become the best bantamweight in the world.”
“I know I can win this fight. I don’t care if some people think that I can’t win this fight. I believe, and I know that I can win it.”
“He has never faced a fighter as relentless as me. I’m going to take him to places he has never been before.”
“I can’t wait. There has been a lot of talk about ‘The Monster’ coming to Las Vegas, but people haven’t seen what I can do inside those ropes.”
Two knockout artists, lets hope for a great fight!
Fight of the month for sure could be fight of the year if Moloney doesn’t get KOed.
Monster in 4! im not given Moloney much of a chance