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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 31: Naoya Inoue celebrates defeating Jason Moloney (not pictured) in their bantamweight title bout at MGM Grand Conference Center on October 31, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)
via Getty
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 31: Naoya Inoue celebrates defeating Jason Moloney (not pictured) in their bantamweight title bout at MGM Grand Conference Center on October 31, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)
Following his KO win over Marlon Tapales, Naoya Inoue became the undisputed Super-Bantamweight champion of the world in Japan last year. Having landed 94 punches more than Tapales did, in the 10th round, ‘The Monster’ knocked out his opponent. Although Tapales often occupied the center of the ring and landed some of his shots on Inoue, the latter responded with power and accuracy.
With a little over two minutes left, Inoue hit Tapales with a big right hand. Tapales failed to recover from the strike in time. As per the latest updates, after the win over Tapales, Naoya Inoue will now face Luis Nery, a former unified Super-Bantamweight champion. Ahead of the bout targeted for May 6, the Japanese boxer revealed his plans for 2024.
Naoya Inoue isn’t in a hurry to fight in the Featherweight division
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In an interview with Daisuke Sugiura who works for The Ring Magazine, Naoya Inoue informed the media that he planned to be a very active fighter this year in the sport. ‘The Monster’, who became an undisputed Super-Bantamweight champion last year in December, wishes to have three more fights at 122 lbs. Having tested his abilities and body in Super-Bantamweight in three more fights, in 2025, Inoue will decide whether or not he should move up to the Featherweight division of the sport.
"I'm planning on fighting 3 times this year. I'm sure these 3 fights will take place at super bantamweight, probably in May, September and December. When to move up to featherweight will depend on how I & my body feel next year." Naoya Inoue interview coming soon at @ringmagazine pic.twitter.com/jHT9dt8nK6
— Daisuke Sugiura 杉浦大介 (@daisukesugiura) February 6, 2024
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“I’m planning on fighting 3 times this year. I’m sure these 3 fights will take place at Super Bantamweight, probably in May, September and December,” Inoue told Sugiura. “When to move up to featherweight will depend on how I & my body feel next year,” he added.
At this, while we know that Inoue will face Nery on May 6 this year, team Naoya Inoue has yet to reveal the other two opponents they would like to fight. Anyway, Inoue’s latest statement and plan for 2024 reminds one of his interaction with ESPN after the Tapales win. Speaking to ESPN, Naoya Inoue explained he enjoyed fighting Tapales at 122 lbs
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“It was one of the most intense fights I’ve had before, probably, but my corner cheered me up and kept me focused throughout the bout,” said Inoue. “I think [Super-Bantamweight] is my weight class for now, so in 2024, I would like to show myself at [122 pounds] in even stronger form,” he added. With that said, who else would you like to see face Inoue in 2024? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
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