Naoya Inoue may finally make his move to featherweight later this year and there is one American superstar that is keen to be first in line for a fight with the Japanese sensation.
Inoue won world titles at both light-flyweight and super-flyweight and became the undisputed champion at both bantamweight and super-bantamweight, defending all four 122lb marbles on a total of six occasions since dethroning Marlon Tapales in 2023.
Now, Inoue is poised for his toughest fight to date, as he takes on dangerous countryman Junto Nakatani in what is undeniably the biggest all-Japanese boxing contest in history â one which could potentially define his career.
However, the victor of that bout will be encouraged to move up to featherweight, with fans particularly eager to see how many weight divisions Inoue can conquer, should he overcome âThe Big Bangâ.
Up at featherweight, Inoue has a ready-made dance partner in WBC champion Bruce Carrington, and the New Yorker told Fight Hub TV that he is confident that there is enough interest in their fight for it to take place.
âI feel like, stylistically, that [a fight between me and Inoue] would be a match made in heaven. A lot of people would tune in to that fight, there is excitement with me putting on knockouts and him putting on knockouts.
âHe is a well decorated fighter and is on the pound-for-pound [list]. I feel like it is just really well written and during the time that we have been talking about this [fight], it has marinated well enough.
âIf he decides to move up to 126lbs, I will be right there. I will be the first guy to beat him.â
Inoue-Nakatani takes place at the Tokyo Dome on Saturday, May 2, as two of Japanâs greatest ever fighters go head-to-head and risk their undefeated records in an event for the ages.