By Joe Koizumi
Photo by Naoki Fukuda
Data by The Hochi Shimbun
It was in his just sixth professional bout that Naoya Inoue (29-0, 26 KOs) acquired his first world belt in 2014. He was then only twenty years of age. Monster Inoue is now thirty-one, which means he has been reigning as world champion in four categories through eleven glorious years. The Hochi Shimbun, one of our leading sports papers here in Japan, showed its statistics by counting the data of all previously remarkable world champions and then placed Inoue’s standing position among them after his latest successful defense over Ye-Joon Kim on January 24. Naoya (who has scored ten consecutive knockouts) fantastically tied the great champion Joe Louis’ record in terms of knockout victories registered in world title bouts–at twenty-two. Repeat, Inoue has a very high KO ratio in 24-0, 22 KOs only in his world title contests.
Furthermore, as of numbers of victories in word title bouts, Naoya has reached a remarkable landmark of Bernard Hopkins at twenty-four. As you see the attached list, Naoya is still behind such marvelous champions as Chavez, Mayweather, De La Hoya, Klitschko, et al. We record-keepers truly appreciate the elaboration of The Hochi Shimbun, which so kindly allowed this reporter to introduce the said data to the boxing world through Fightnews.com®. Great thanks.
I think he’ll go down as the best small fighter of all time. There isn’t anyone who peaked below featherweight who I think was clearly better than Inoue.
He’s an incredibly amazing and gifted young man. I really hope he doesn’t stay too long in this port so that he can retire undefeated and stay retired. I don’t wanna see him be like past legends who continue to fight and getting knocked out against lesser opponents.
Yea inoue got hands
I remember when Julio Gonzalez went to Germany as a underdog to dethrone he undefeated Darius michaelowzky and brought unexpectedly the title to Mexico
And later he lost against roy Jones
I’m dubious about these statistics in the alphabet era. When did we start counting the WBOgus?
Also more championship fights when there is now a division for every three pounds. Even so, he has to be one of the greatest ever.
Unfortunately, Inoue, disgracefully, will suffer the same fate as Ricardo Lopez. Underappreciated and somewhat forgotten once his career is over. His record is actually insane. Aside from us “In The Know” so to speak, not many “fans” know who he is.
Divisions below featherweight not really popular in US even when boxing was a major sport. Didn’t help splitting the little guys into even more divisions.
The monster is the best boxer I have seen in my life I like boxing Naoya inoue is best he got everything
Manny Pacquiao an 8 Divsion Champion is the Greatest Boxer of All Time, who put into retirement great bxers like Oscar Dela Hoya, Margarito, He was a Mexican Destroyer.
didnt he get knocked out cold by the mexican Juan Manuel Marquez ??? and didnt a hispanic fighter retire him???
No boxer is superman. Let the world records speak for Pacman. Even Jesus, as man, died on the cross !
He beat Oscar when he was 137 years old and drained him down to 147. Perhaps highlight his victories over Marquez, Morales and Barrera. Not enough to be the GOAT but 8 division world champ perhaps puts him in the top 10.
well think he breaks a few more records but the historians will say who did he fight besides a well past his prime Nonito Donaire i mean he will be another Ricardo Lopez
I hope he fightsCasimero to shut him up and prove it that he is not avoiding him♂️
I am surprised not to see Manny Pacquiao in these listngs. Ommission or factual ?
Arguably the greatest fighter to date is Ray Robinson, and he is not ranked high in either of these categories. They are not a good measure in other words. When Inoue’s career is over, only then can we look at his fights and dominance to declare what we already know: that he among the greatest of fighters.
Very impressive feat but only time will tell if its meaningful. He’s still young but in comparison to most on this list the unbiased question will arise. Who did he fight/ beat? Any HOFers etc.