When Naoya Inoue defeated a revered Japanese titleholder and future world champion in simply his fourth battle, the writing ought to have been on the wall.
This distinctive younger fighter had one thing about him that might preserve boxing lovers fixated on his run. A decade later, after a run that’s likened to the good Manny Pacquiao, Inoue stands on the cusp of one other victory so as to add to his legacy.
Inoue fights underdog TJ Doheny on Tuesday on the Ariake Enviornment in Japan, understanding his legacy is already secured. Profitable undisputed titles in two separate weight lessons in simply over a 12 months will have an effect on any profession.
‘The Monster’ received his first world championship in six fights in opposition to the season Adrian Hernandez. The triumph would spark essentially the most spectacular lower-weight class run since Pacquiao ripped by means of the divisions from a debut at 105 kilos.
By his eighth battle, Inoue was a two-weight world champion, having dispatched Omar Narvaez in simply two rounds after bypassing the flyweight restrict. After seven profitable defenses, Inoue moved as much as bantamweight and commenced taking aside world champions, starting with Jamie McDonnell.
In below three minutes of motion, Juan Carlos Payano was subsequent as Inoue pummeled two former bantamweight rulers. A Battle of the Yr protection in opposition to Nonito Donaire adopted as Inoue hurtled in direction of unifying each strap at 118 kilos in opposition to Paul Butler in November 2022.
He ultimately claimed all of the belts at Tremendous Bantamweight by stopping Stephen Fulton and Marlon Tapales by December 2023. Now a four-weight king, hypothesis is rife that Inoue could turn into a 5 or six-weight champion by 2026. By then, he’ll be 33 and doubtlessly contemplating going one step additional.
Ought to Inoue turn into five-weight, he joins a band of legends together with Floyd Mayweather. At six-weight, Inoue rubs shoulders with Oscar De La Hoya. Nonetheless, at seven-weight, Inoue could be alongside Pacquiao as boxing’s solely two seven-weight world champions.
To affix the Filipino famous person, Inoue should win a title as much as light-weight [135 pounds], which the person himself admits is probably not potential. Trying again on his profession now, possibly Inoue ought to have received a belt at flyweight to make that leap in direction of Pacquiao’s achievements just a little extra snug.
That’s not potential, however with discuss of a featherweight battle in 2025, Inoue would nonetheless be in good firm with Mayweather as a five-weight ruler. The Doheny battle needs to be a way to an finish, a mere bridge to featherweight earlier than we see the superior Inoue rubbing shoulders with Rey Vargas, Angelo Leo, Rafael Espinoza, and Nick Ball within the coming months.
On their earlier kind, Inoue may goal Vargas within the first half of subsequent 12 months on his five-weight quest.
Learn all articles and unique interviews by Phil Jay. Study extra concerning the writer, skilled boxing author, and World Boxing Information Editor since 2010. Comply with on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
