Days After Sensational Victory Over Marlon Tapales, Naoya Inoue’s Promoter Names Next Three Potential Opponents For 2024

Naoya Inoue has made history. He is now the second boxer to emerge undisputed in two weight classes. In a Kotu-Ku, Japan fight, Inoue defeated Marlon Tapales to unify the junior featherweight titles, bracing himself for a 2024, that his promoter suggests is jotted with high-profile bouts. The Japanese fighter follows the accolades of Terence Crawford. He became the first fighter ever to be titled undisputed in two weight classes.

In July, by defeating Errol Spence Jr, ‘Bud’ unified titles in the welterweight division, which he did in 2017 for the light welterweight class. Inoue has done the same by repeating what he did in 2022 by unifying the bantamweight titles. Most expected him to move up in weight. However, he announced earlier that he would remain super bantam against these opponents, per his promoter, Hideyuki Ohashi.

Who will Naoya Inoue fight next, and when?

As per reports, Hideyuki Ohashi, Monster’s promoter, noted that the fighter is due to undertake three fights in 2024. He suggested the potential opponents for such clashes.

1. Mexican fighter, Luis Nery. ‘Pantera’ was last seen fighting against Froilan Saludar, a fight he won through a 2nd round technical knockout.
2. Murodjon Akhmadaliev, the 29-year-old Uzbekistani fighter, marked his last fight with Kevin Gonzalez in early December. He won it in the 8th round via TKO.
3. Filipino fighter John Riel Casimero is another opponent the promoter suggested, whose recent fight against Yukinori Oguni was called a draw.

Ohashi has also outlined two possible venues for these big fights. One is Japan’s famous Tokyo Dome, and the other is Saudi Arabia, whose Riyadh season is currently underway. While his plans are being sorted out, Inoue announced at the post-fight press conference the possible date for his next fight.

The Monster is to return in April

To a question that probed about his next stint in the ring, Naoya Inoue noted, “We plan to return to the ring in May.” He further added, “We can’t really discuss who that might be since we are in negotiations.”

Boxing Scene had earlier picked Luis Nery as a potential opponent for Inoue, the WBC mandatory challenger and former two-division titlist. Such reports had plopped up in the wake of his Stephen Fulton win in July this year. However, the four sanctioning bodies had made way for the historic Inoue-Tapales fight for the undisputed title.

Also Read: Top Rank Promoter Bob Arum Pens Heartfelt Message Congratulating “Special Fighter” Naoya Inoue on Becoming 2X Undisputed Champion

To the boxing insider, Inoue also outlined that once he emerges undisputed, his long list of interesting fighters will be pursued, promising his fans an entertaining 2024. From his Tapales win, it is certain that the pound-for-pound fighter is all set to shatter the glass ceiling and become the face of the sport eventually. Which opponent for Inoue are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments section below.

Watch This Story – Naoya Inoue Net Worth: Five Biggest Fight Purse of His Illustrious Boxing Career