Inoue to fight 3 times in 2024 vs Nery in Tokyo Dome & MJ in Saudi

The day after the match in which Naoya Inoue (30), the unified world super bantamweight champion of the four major boxing organizations, achieved the historic feat of unifying titles in two weight classes, a press conference was held at the Ohashi Gym in Yokohama (Tokyo, Ariake Arena) on the 27th. Inoue, who scored a 10th-round knockout victory over Marlon Tapales (31) from the Philippines, the unified WBA and IBF champion, expressed his desire to fight three times next year through consecutive mandatory matches. There is a possibility of a match at the Tokyo Dome in May and another in Saudi Arabia in September.

Appearing with a clean face and mentioning that he managed to get some sleep the previous night, Inoue said, "I was able to achieve the remarkable accomplishment of unifying titles in two weight classes. After a night of calmness, I reviewed the footage, and the impression was that it was a highly technical battle compared to when I was in the ring."

He dismissed concerns about any damage, stating, "There is absolutely no damage." In response to online comments about facing challenges and the time it took until the 10th round, Inoue, with a playful tone, said, "If people are saying things like 'struggled' or 'hit a weight class wall' with this performance, what should I do? Tapales is also a champion. It's great to have high expectations for myself, but it's not easy. Yesterday, well, I'm pretty unscathed. Being a two-weight-class champion and knocking out Tapales in the 10th round, isn't that good?" amidst a wry smile.

In December of the previous year, Inoue unified all four titles in the bantamweight division, becoming the first Asian athlete to do so. Moving up a weight class to super bantamweight, he achieved world titles in four weight classes in his debut fight in July. In just about a year from unifying the bantamweight titles, he became the first-ever two-year consecutive four-weight-class unified champion in the same division. The Ohashi Gym was flooded with 13 movie cameras and about 60 journalists. Outside the gym, a large number of fans gathered seeking autographs and more.

The next match is planned to take place in May next year at the Tokyo Dome, where Naoya Inoue, the WBC bantamweight champion, will defend his four world titles against Luis Nery (29), a former two-weight world champion and the WBC world No. 1 contender from Mexico. Inoue expressed excitement about the prospect of the fight at the Tokyo Dome, which has a seating capacity of 55,000, saying, "I wonder what the view will be like. I'm looking forward to it if it happens." If the event takes place, it will be the first time in about 34 years that a boxing promotion is held at the Tokyo Dome, with the last matches in 1988 and 1990 featuring Mike Tyson (USA) as the main event, making it the first time a Japanese boxer headlines the main event.

Naoya Inoue hopes for three fights next year; in May, he aims to face Nery at the Tokyo Dome, and in September, he is considering a match against Ahmedaliyev in Saudi Arabia.

Hideyuki Ohashi, the chairman of Inoue's gym, mentioned considering a larger venue for the next fight and also contemplating the possibility of holding it in Saudi Arabia. He stated, "The Tokyo Dome is an option." Regarding the overwhelming demand for tickets to the Tapales fight, with over 100,000 applications for the lottery, he hinted at the Tokyo Dome hosting, saying, "People who want to come may not be able to come," while explaining the rationale for holding events in large venues.

Inoue expressed his desire to have "six fights next year and the year after," indicating his preference for three fights next year, as conveyed to Chairman Ohashi. He mentioned potential opponents he is interested in, saying, "Ahmadaliev, Nery. What about Casimero?" Chairman Ohashi revealed his plan for three fights in May, September, and December next year and mentioned receiving offers for big matches from Saudi Arabia, known for hosting events with significantly larger financial backing compared to Japan.

In September next year, there is a possibility that Inoue will face Muradjon Akhmadaliev (29) from Uzbekistan, the WBA's mandatory challenger and former WBA and IBF unified champion, and the WBA world No. 1 contender, in a title defense held in Saudi Arabia. The continuous series of high-profile matches involving the "Monster" Inoue is set to keep the boxing world buzzing.

Inoue's professional record is 26 fights, 26 wins (23 KOs), Tapales has 41 fights, 37 wins (19 KOs), 4 losses, Nery has 36 fights, 35 wins (27 KOs), 1 loss, and Akhmadaliev has 13 fights, 12 wins (9 KOs), 1 loss.

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/9d6a803db07d05a63080e4b537da788e25517322

I assume this means that they are working behind the scenes on getting Nery's lifetime Boxing ban in Japan relaxed

 

He wants to fight 3 times next year & in 2025 also but I guess the 3rd opponent is yet to be decided because initially he wanted Casimero but Casimero looked horrible in his last outing. He may end up fighting Goodman or may be the winner of Goodman vs Casimero if that can be made before moving up to 126

 

I agree it sets a bad precedent & that fight can be in the US because I heard that his deal with Top Rank involves at least 1 more US fight

Let's see what the JBC decides. I don't really care if he doesn't fight in US, just don't want JBC bending their rules for him