Boxing News: Top Rank Promoter Bob Arum Provides Update on Naoya Inoue’s May Return

After creating history, Naoya Inoue is on his way for some more. It seems like the Japanese fighter has a busy 2024 chalked out for him. His next fight has already been decided for now. Top Rank Promotions’ head honcho Bob Arum has revealed what the details of his next fight look like.

In December, the fighter made history after defeating Marlon Tapales at the Ariake Arena in Japan. The knockout victory made him the second male fighter ever to emerge undisputed in two weight classes in the four-belt era. Confirming the rumors swirling around his next fight, Arum revealed the fighter’s potential opponent and when the fight could actually take its course.

Who will Naoya Inoue fight next?

Speaking to Boxing News Plus, the 92-year-old Arum confirmed that ‘Monster’ Inoue will potentially fight the former super-bantamweight champion, Luis Nery. He remarked, “We’re very confident that, that fight will happen in May. And it’s not done yet, but we’re confident that it will be in May.” As per ESPN’s Mike Coppinger, the fight deal highlights a Tokyo fight for Inoue’s undisputed super-bantamweight titles.

The 29-year-old, Mexican,  Nery was earlier indefinitely suspended by the Japanese Boxing Commission in March 2018. However, reports now suggest that officials remain confident that the 35-1 fighter’s suspension will be discontinued before his bout against Inoue in May. His suspension came in the light of his testing positive for the banned substance, zilpaterol as well as his weighing heavier than their predetermined weight in the lead-up to his rematch against Shinsuke Yamanaka.

Years later now Pantera will make his comeback to Japan against the country’s fame Naoya Inoue. The fight is one among the three fights that Inoue will undertake, a number suggested by his promoter Hideyuki Ohashi. While the Nery fight will be in Inoue’s current bastion division, Bob Arum also outlined what the future looks like for the fighter.

When will the Monster take the plunge?

“Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to fight against such a tough opponent. I think super-bantamweight is my division now, so in 2024 I will look to show even greater form,” noted Inoue in his post-fight press conference after the Tapales fight. Now, confirming when he would move to the next division, the legendary promoter, Arum told Boxing News Plus, “He said, he’s going to stay at 122 for the rest of this year, and in 2025 he will consider going to featherweight.”

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

This year will be crucial for the Japanese Monster. He remains at a juncture that could determine his future not just in his division but in the sport of boxing at large. What do you think about the timing of his transition to featherweight? Let us know in the comments section below.

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