By Joe Koizumi
Undamaged and unbruised, “The Monster” Naoya Inoue (28-0, 25 KOs) is going to be a fighting champion. He will again defend his undisputed 122-pund belts here on Christmas—Christmas Eve or Boxing Day. His promoter and ex-world 105-pound champ Hideyuki Ohashi, 59, admitted Naoya’s schedule on the press conference on Wednesday at Ohashi Gym in Yokohama.
“I’ve had definitely no damage. As I had my last fight of indigestion and incomplete combustion, I wish to go forward to my next in December.” Between Inoue and Ohashi it seemed that they agreed to go and fight in Las Vegas next year, as Top Rank CEO Bob Arum mentioned from the ring on Tuesday.
Who’s next? Either Sam Goodman (IBF, WBO mandatory challenger) or Murodjon Akhmadaliev (WBA compulsory contender).
When asked by a pressman about a possibility of encountering fast-rising compatriot WBO bantam ruler Junto Nakatani, The Monster smilingly said, “Before he moves up to fight me, he will have to face my brother Takuma (current WBA bantam ruler) to conquer the 118-pound category. That’s not easy because Takuma will be a very tough opposition and a thick wall for Nakatani.”
Anyway it must be very rare now that all the bantam and super bantam belts are currently held by the Japanese contestants. In the end of the prosperous year for Japan, The Monster (whose mark only in world title bouts is 23-0, 21 KOs) will appear again and this time will demonstrate his destructive power, hopefully. Naoya, who has scored nine consecutive knockouts, is eager to extend his KO streak to ten. Ten is a fortunate number for Japanese people.
I prefer Murodjon Akhmadaliev, but I think Goodman will receive the call. Anyway, either will be ironed by the monster
I dont know many of the guys Inoue fights but he’s a good active champion. GGG was a monster also against certain opposition. But was unwilling to fight the best Middleweights outside of Canelo. Inoue beat some good older champions and along with Fulton. Im not all the way sold on P4P best but he seems to be one of the best punchers and best display of Power Boxing, we’ve seen at the lower weights, since Edwin Valero
That proves your knowledge about boxing is limited what you just said.. GGG fought everyone..
No Regis, he chickened out Demetrius Andrade, who called him and asked to be the replacement for Canelo, who had tested positive for PED, and instead he fought?? a corpse named VanesMartirosyan. After this, Eddie Hearn tried to make the fight, but GGG didn’t want to face him
Burucho? One fighter? Andrade? Why would a fighter, who is guaranteed a big payday against canelo risk that to fight Andrade? Life changing money. GGG fought a prime Daniel Jacobs, who was a tough out back then amongst others. I never pay attention too much to nj boxing, he don’t know shite. No doubt, Andrade is a good fighter, but risking top dollars to fight him in lace of canelo back then, no way no bueno. If it don’t make dollars, it don’t make sense. Smart business move.
….and that is the point: avoid certain fighters because there is fear, there is doubt, sugarcoating this with “smart business” as an excuse. A bit of balls from Tim Tszyu, and GGG would have been an all time great, sadly he didn’t have it
There is no sugarcoat. That’s real business in boxing. All of GGG faced, he didn’t face Andrade? Big deal. One fighter. Not plural like a Mayweather.
With all the thumb downs you’re getting here, apparently you don’t know doodoo about boxing either.
Haha I didn’t realise BooBoo lovers still existed. That man never took a belt off of anyone, fought stiffs until he finally fought someone good and he got destroyed. GGG would have murdered him. So GGG fought Vanes instead, Vanes dropped BooBoo and lost by SD, GGG destroyed him.
Booboo have no power, GGG would have ran through him like water.
No, actually he did not. he said basically golovkin was busy, but he felt did not always fight the best. Of course, he never fought Lara, and I think Lara wanted to fight him.
Other way around, nobody wanted to fight GGG until he turned damn near 50
As long as it’s either Goodman or MJ, that’s just fine. I actually think it’s the IBF’s turn in the rotation (since, as far as I can tell, it’s been three and a half years since there was an IBF mandatory defense at the weight) and Goodman should be next. I MIGHT prefer MJ but he’ll get his shot next.
I am hoping for a Inoue/Goodman scrap.
I have a feeling Inoue and Carrington will later lock-up at 126. Hopefully, Carrington will have a belt by then.
This dude is kicking @$$ and taking names.
Inoue should fight the pillow fisted Sam Goodman. He will come through that fight bruise free because Goodman has no knock out power and Inoue will walk through him with ease.
P4P
Goodman in 2!
You too generous, maybe Goodman won’t hear the bell for the second round
“Monster” Inoue is something special , he has it all and I cannot see him being beaten. Just levels above anyone else at this weight. Maybe the next weight too.
Christmas just got better, dad when can we open our gifts”, right after Inoue fights, not that long.
Saying he should have fight him but he fought him instead this guy deserves it he never got a shot, were not in those rooms with them fighting over the contract, alot of it isn’t ducking its money down to petty stuff.