Naoya Inoue: record, next fight and profile →
Naoya Inoue, arguably Japan’s most promising boxing star, has his sights set on a lofty goal for 2017: to become a bigger global star. The unbeaten WBO super flyweight champion said that he wouldn’t hesitate to fight against the weight division’s best boxers in the world if given the chance.
Sometimes, it’s best to get to the main course early and let the rest of the meal unfold from there. Fans of the lower weight classes know that, right now, Jr. bantamweight is about as loaded as one could ask a class to be. Between the four major titlists there is a single loss. Solid veterans surround them with fighters from lower weights are vacating titles to get into the mix.
Cruiserweight: Victor Ramirez announced his retirement, making room for WBA sub-titlist Beibut Shumenov to enter the top ten. Jr. Lightweight: It wasn’t as easy the second time around but Jezreel Corrales defeated Takashi Uchiyama for a second time, coming off the floor to win a split decision on the road. It was a game effort on the road and leaves the ratings as they were.
Two years ago on this very weekend, Naoya Inoue not only became a late entry in the Fighter of the Year race, but was granted such honors on these very pages. This time around, the 23-year old phenom delivered an 11th hour submission for Knockout of the Year, icing former 115 lb. titlist Kohei Kono in the 6th round of their super flyweight title fight Friday evening at Ariake Colisseum in Tokyo, Japan.
Japan's Naoya Inoue will defend his super flyweight title of the World Boxing Organization (WBO) for the fourth time when he takes on compatriot Kohei Kono in a stellar fight on Friday night at the Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo, Japan.
by David P. Greisman - It’s fitting that the final notable bouts of the year take place in Japan. As has become tradition, it is in the Land of the Rising Sun that the sun sets on boxing in 2016. This year’s grand finale brings seven title fights at four cards taking place over the span of two days. You might or might not be t...
The World Boxing Organization, chaired by President Francisco 'Paco' Valcárcel, has put everything in place for next Friday, December 30, at the Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo, Japan, where the champion Naoya Inoue (11-0, 9KO's) will make the fourth defense of the super flyweight world title against former world champion Kohei Kono (32-9-1, 13KO's).
WBC super flyweight champion Roman 'Chocolatito' Gonzalez (46-0, 38KOs) was recently presented with a unification offer to take on WBO king Naoya 'The Monster' Inoue (11-0, 9KOs). Both fighters are represented by Teiken Promotions.
Most casual sports fans know about the heavyweights, middleweights and welterweights but for those with a deeper appreciation for boxing the 115-pounders -- also known as super flyweights -- may well be the best weight class in boxing. As of now, only one past champion is enshrined in the International Boxing Hall of Fame (Khaosai Galaxy) and another may soon join him (Johnny Tapia) but one look at the rankings suggests that more may be coming down the pike during the next decade or so.
Naoya Inoue, who successfully defended his WBO super flyweight championship for the third time on Sunday when he defeated Thailand's Petchbarngborn Kokietgym by technical knockout in the 10th round, is hoping to face Roman 'Chocolatito' Gonzalez next.