Naoya "El Monstruo de Japón/The 1.65m Godzilla/怪物 (Kaibutsu/Monster)" Inoue - acknowledge him!

You probably know his exact pube count to within a couple of follicles too, creeper.

 

...and still ichiban p4p, IDGAF.

 

Considering his scant half dozen losses in the amateurs, you might be surprised to learn that one man is responsible for TWO blemishes on Inoue's record.

Yosvany Veitía Soto cock-blocked him from reaching the medals stage of the World Youth Championships in Baku in 2010, and then did the same thing in the adult version the following year. Figured that may be of some interest to Inoue fans, as usually such amateur conquerors become more-than-mere-footnote curiosities in the sags of all-time-greats (see: Lomachenko's foil Albert Selimov, or the last man officially to beat Floyd Mayweather Jr. - albeit controversially - Serafim Todorov).

Now, you might be really surprised to find out that he turned pro last year...and has an 0-2 record.

https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/851628

Both were split decisions, and both were against experienced opponents much better than what debutants usually face, but still. Goes to show what different games they are; beasts in the amateurs can go bust in the pros, as we've seen time and time again. Tillman vs. Tyson, anyone?

Inoue and Mayweather were both very good amateurs who became amazing pros. Lomachenko took sort of the opposite track; amazing in the amateurs, then very good in the pros.

 

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I'd say both Donaire victories belong in a top 5, however. The first one being competitive isn't a demerit for Inoue, quite the contrary in fact. It showed him overcoming moderate adversity versus an elite that still had plenty of fire in his belly.

 

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Couple of mitigating factors here:

1. Inoue was still developing from merely a monster puncher (about 60% kayo rate in the amateurs, which is CRAZY high) into a complete boxer-puncher.
2. Cubans - and especially Cuban southpaws - are literally built for success in the amateurs (but much rarer to see it translate successfully into the pros)