Boxing Update: Naoya Inoue Set to Defend Undisputed Super-Bantamweight Title on May 6; Opponent and Venue Revealed

Boxing’s very own monster is all set to rise again. Per the latest available news, Naoya Inoue will be defending his undisputed super bantamweight title in May. The Japanese superstar made history last year. After Terence Crawford, he became the second man to become a two-division undisputed champion. On top of that, ‘The Monster’ accomplished this feat in the span of just 12 months.

Naoya Inoue fought Marlon Tapales from the Philippines last December. The previous year, after becoming the undisputed champion of the bantamweight division, he climbed up to join the 122-pound ranks. In his first fight as a super bantamweight, he picked apart unified champion Stephen Fulton. Speculations are rife over Inoue’s future fights. In the meantime, fans can settle down to watch another exciting set piece from ‘The Monster’.

Naoya Inoue: ‘The Monster and ‘Pantera’ set to dance

In line with the latest information available, Naoya Inoue will have to duke it out with the former two-division world champion, Luis Nery. Additionally, information on the date and venue reveals that the fight will reportedly take place in May at the famous Tokyo Dome. It will be ‘The Monster’s first fight in the world’s largest roofed stadium.

According to Boxing journalist Michael Benson’s X post, “Naoya Inoue will defend his undisputed WBA, WBC, IBF, & WBO super-bantamweight world titles vs. Luis Nery on Monday, May 6th, at the Tokyo Dome in Japan.” Quite a few fans and followers shared their thoughts in the comment box. One wrote, “Love the way this guy handles business. No talking, tweeting, or drawn-out negotiations. He fights. Picks another opponent and locks in the next date.”

The announcement, incidentally, follows the Japanese Boxing Commission’s earlier decision to overturn the ban on Luis Nery. Failure to clear drug tests in 2017 resulted in the ‘Pantera’ being slammed with restrictions to fight in Japan effective 2018.

The Tijuana, Mexico-born boxer, suffered his first career loss to Brandon Figueroa three years ago. However, after the defeat, he registered four consecutive wins, of which the last three were knockouts. ‘The Monster’, on the other hand, has reportedly expressed interest in moving up further to the featherweight division. So will he participate in another fight after the Luis Nery fight? Apparently, there are reports that Inoue might be visiting Australia to slug it out against home crowd favorite Sam Goodman.

Read More: Despite Floyd Mayweather’s Interest and Naoya Inoue’s Recent Undisputed Title Win, a Gervonta Davis Fight Is Senseless for the Japanese Monster

What’s your take on the matchup? Do you think, after the title defense, Inoue should consider a move to the featherweight division?

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