By Miguel Rivera
If everything goes well in Japan in the upcoming rematch with Shinsuke Yamanaka, then promoter Fernando Beltra of Mexico would not rule out the possibility of Luis 'Panterita' Nery going up against another Japanese fighter, Naoya Inoue, who is considered by many to be one of the best pound for pound fighters in the world.
Nery captured the WBC bantamweight world title after scoring a fourth round knockout of Yamanaka on August 15 in Kyoto, Japan. However, a few days later an adverse result was announced in one of the four anti-doping tests that were carried out for Nery, which motivated a long investigation as part of the WBC's Clean Boxing Program - and eventually a mandatory rematch was ordered.
Nery tested positive for zilpaterol, which is similar to clenbuterol - a substance used in Mexico to fatten cattle, which has been considered a health problem by Mexican authorities according to the report from the WBC.
Beltran expects that once again Nery will go ahead with Yamanaka and said that they would not hesitate to welcome Inoue to the bantamweight division - but for a fight in the United States and not in Japan.
Inoue (14-0, 12 KOs) is going to defend the super flyweight title of the World Boxing Organization against Yoan Boyeaux on December 30 and should everything go well he is expected to participate in the event, Superfly 2, taking place in the month of February in California.
Inoue - known by his nickname of "The Monster" - is planning to move up to the bantamweight division in the near future.
"Luis Nery is one of the key fighters in the present and the future of Zanfer. We believe he had a good 2017 but we do not doubt that 2018 will be much better, we are waiting for negotiations for the rematch with Yamanaka and we will most likely go to Japan," Beltran told ESPN Deportes.
"But once Nery wins again, he'll be ready to welcome Inoue to bantamweight. I know there are many who turn away from Inoue, but 'Panterita' does not and we think it would be a great fight to stage in California in 2018. We are confident that on that day we will also see the best Luis Nery.
For now, Luis Nery (25-0, 19 KOs) and Shinsuke Yamanaka (27-1-2, 19 KOs) are in the negotiations period. And if they do not reach an agreement, then they will go to a purse bid scheduled by the World Council. Boxing in the first half of December 2017. Although there is confidence that a deal will soon be finalized.
