Naoya Inoue responds to calls that he should be fighting in the U.S.
Undisputed super-bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue has established himself as a true pound-for-pound great over the last 12 months, yet still ‘The Monster’ has his critics.
Now, the Japanese superstar has responded to those who believe he needs to being fighting in the United States.
Inoue knocked out Paul Butler in December 2022 to become the first four-belt undisputed Japanese fighter in history, etching his name into boxing legend in his home country, after defeating the likes of Nonito Donaire, Emmanuel Rodriguez and Jason Moloney at the weight.
The victory prompted a move up where many felt the 5′ 5″ fighter could struggle, but the hard-hitting 31-year-old had no difficulties in dethroning the poster boy of the division, Stephen Fulton, on his first outing at the weight, before taking out his second unified champion in his second contest at 122lbs, knocking out Marlon Tapales in December to become a two-weight undisputed ruler.
Still, fans in the United States continue to suggest that modern great must travel stateside and move up to the weight-classes with bigger names in, with stars such as Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis continuously being linked to a showdown with him, despite the three-division disparity in weight.
On social media, Inoue responded to those suggestions and showed no inclination to fight in the United States for the first time since 2021.
アメリカに来て試合をしろと言うコメントに？？？？？
今や軽量級の本場はここ日本にある。
試合が見たいのなら日本に来ればいい。
日本のマーケット以上の物がアメリカにあるのなら喜んで行く。
それだけの価値がここ日本にはある。— 井上尚弥 Naoya Inoue (@naoyainoue_410) April 13, 2024
“In response to the comment saying I should come to America and fight.
“The home of the lightweight division is now here in Japan.
“If you want to see the fight, come to Japan.
“If there is something better than what is available in the Japanese market in America, I would be happy to go.
“It’s all worth it here in Japan.”
Inoue returns to the ring against Luis Nery on May 6th at the Tokyo Dome, despite Nery previously being banned from fighting in Japan.