If issues fall into place, reigning super-bantamweight and, within the opinion of many, pound-for-pound champ Naoya Inoue may combat three extra instances this 12 months. As followers know, Inoue drubbed a sport late-sub within the type of Ye Joon Kim, this on January 24, Kim stepping in after Sam Goodman needed to once more withdraw on account of a foul minimize.
Now, Inoue is about to return to the US for a combat in June, this to be his first combat on American soil because the identical month again in 2021. Inoue, if victorious, will then be taking a look at taking motion in his homeland in September. Whereas “The Monster,” once more if victorious, will then maybe transfer on and field on a giant card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in December.
After all, all plans are topic to vary.
However Inoue, at his blinding peak at age 31 (32 in April), may have his most lively 12 months since 2013 if he does certainly field 4 instances this 12 months. In keeping with a information story from Ring, Inoue will possible face unbeaten however considerably unknown Mexican Alan Picasso in Las Vegas in June, earlier than a attainable combat Vs. TBA in Japan in September, after which one other attainable combat, once more Vs. TBA, in Saudi Arabia in December.
There are a selection of potential foes for Inoue, two of them fighters we followers actually wish to see “The Monster” attempt to devour. That each one-Japanese mega-fight between Inoue and the equally very good Junto Nakatani is one combat all of us actually wish to see occur, both this 12 months or subsequent 12 months. Whereas long-time WBA obligatory challenger Murodjon Akhmadaliev should even be accommodated.
It may be asking for an excessive amount of for Inoue to combat each Nakatani AND Akhmadaliev this 12 months, however issues may come candy for the game. If it’s not Junto in September in Japan, who else it may be makes for a superb query. Whereas if it’s not “MJ,” as Akhmadaliev is understood, in Riyadh in December, then who would possibly Inoue’s dance associate be on that date?
What we do know is that this: Inoue does in no way take kindly to any suggestion that he’s ducking anybody – be it Nakatani, or be it Akhmadaliev.
Once more, if issues occur a sure method, Inoue, 29-0(26) may additional solidify his legacy this 12 months, with him closing sure mouths as he does so.
If Inoue fights Picasso, 31-0-1(17), after which Nakatani, 29-0(22), after which Akhmadaliev, 13-1(10), all inside this 12 months, who wins, and the way?
Can anybody beat Naoya Inoue?
