Inoue’s promoter confirms immediate next plans.
When it comes to Naoya Inoue, the phenomenon from Japan is the type of fighter about whom people ask not who he can beat, but who can beat him. And when boxing fans speak of someone in such a way, it’s clear that that pugilist is very special.
Inoue certainly is that: special. So special, in fact, that he is considered to be the best fighter from his country’s entire history. He certainly confirmed that he is the best currently active when he defeated Junto Nakatani in early May.
In an official capacity, it was actually that win that crowned Inoue as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world, Japanese or otherwise.
And having been champion in four weights, undisputed in two, and never losing a fight throughout his career, there is only so much more that “The Monster” can do. Really, it comes down to two options from here.
Becoming a five-division conqueror with a run at featherweight would be the ultimate test of Inoue’s greatness, though the same could be said of a fight with fellow pound-for-pound star Jesse Rodríguez.
And in an interview with Yahoo Japan, Hideyuki Ohashi (Inoue’s promoter) effectively confirmed that a bout with Rodríguez is the path they are looking at going down next.
“He will have a big fight in February next year. I am sure you can guess which one”, Ohashi said. “That’s also in motion right now. Once that’s done, the next one will be in an extraordinary place.”
Rodríguez is coming off a victory over Antonio Vargas to become the WBA champion at bantamweight, the division directly beneath Inoue’s stomping ground.
Should the American climb the ladder further and collide with Inoue, what a day it would be for fans of boxing the world over.
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