Naoya Inoue finished 2023 on a high note. The Japanese fighter made history by becoming the second fighter to emerge undisputed ever since the four-belt era ushered in. Today, he reflects on such a momentous achievement. He generously comments on being compared to the path he followed in making such history.

In December last year, 30-year-old ‘Monster’ defeated Filipino southpaw, Marlon Tapales to become undisputed for the second time. The groundbreaking moment came just a year after he did the same in the bantamweight division by defeating Paul Butler in an 11th-round knockout. He follows the precedent set earlier by Terence Crawford. By defeating Errol Spence Jr. last year, he emerged undisputed 2x by repeating the suit he did in 2017 for knocking out Julius Indongo in the 3rd round. When asked about being second in line for such a historic achievement, Inoue kept it positive.

Naoya Inoue feels the significance of every fight

Daisuke Sugiura, the notable sports journalist and contributor for Ring Magazine gauged Inoue’s thoughts on being compared to ‘Bud.’ The 26-undefeated boxer noted, “Compared to a few years ago, I feel the importance of each fight even more. Terence Crawford is No. 1 in the pound-for-pound rankings, and I’ve reached a position where I’m compared to fighters like him every time I fight, so I feel the weight and importance of each fight as I go through them.”

After defeating Spence Jr. in July last year, Bud powered through the ranks of his weight class and boxing at large. He was voted pound-for-pound number 1. Ring, the publication that refers to itself as ‘The Bible of Boxing’ also counted the Omaha-based fighter to top their pound-for-pound list. When the boxing community awaited these rankings, a debate ensued. Most were on the fence about who it would be to assume the pound-for-pound #1 position between the two fighters.

However, after Bud’s historic win, three days after Inoue had defeated American Stephen Fulton, it was a sealed deal. In Ring Magazine, its editor-in-chief, Ye Ole, was the only vote to pick the Yokohama-based fighter. Ole explained, “He’s a four-division titleholder and former undisputed champ with just 25 pro bouts. He dominated the No. 1-rated junior featherweight in his FIRST bout in the 122-pound division.”

Another accolade was added to his portfolio recently. Naoya Inoue was awarded the 2023 Fighter of the Year. What does he have to say about that?

Fighter of the Year

How does he reflect on the two fights that got him these accolades? Inoue notes, “I don’t know, but there were more unknowns in my first fight of 2023 against Stephen Fulton because I was moving up to super bantamweight from bantamweight. So, I felt like I accomplished more when I defeated Fulton. For the Tapales fight I went into it with some understanding of how to build a 122-pound body. Ever since I moved up from light flyweight (the 108-pound division), every time I moved up, I fought the first one with some anxiety. I think I felt more satisfied when I defeated Fulton in my first fight in the super bantamweight division.”

Also Read: HE Turki Alalshikh Challenges Naoya Inoue With Lionel Messi In a Surprising Move

What if Naoya Inoue was not voted pound-for-pound number 1? He remains on top of the game today. Do you agree with the ratings? Let us know in the comments section below.

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