Many consider him to be the best Japanese fighter of all time already in any combat sport, not just boxing. A phenom.
Alas, in the heart of Japan, a pugilistic prodigy has emerged in him, in recent years, leaving a trail of awe and bewilderment in his wake. Stunning power that has left a trail of carnage behind him everywhere he goes.
This nascent talent, Naoya Inoue, has been Christened “The Monster,” a rightful moniker that encapsulated his unparalleled prowess within the squared circle in the lighter weight categories, pound for pound.
Many would love to see an Inoue vs Gervonta Davis fight at some point down the road, on another note.
Back to Inoue.
Inoue’s ascent to the pinnacle of the boxing world has been nothing short of meteoric. His promoter Bob Arum claims he’s the best fighter since Ali.
His amateur career, adorned with accolades and national championships, served as a mere prelude to his professional dominance these last few years.
Initially it was during these formative years that his reputation as a prodigious puncher began to solidify in Japan.
Observers in boxing have marveled at Inoue’s preternatural punching power, a force that belied his diminutive stature.
But where did such an iconic nickname come from?
His blows, delivered with surgical precision and devastating impact, have left opponents reeling and spectators agape.
This extraordinary ability to inflict damage with seemingly effortless ease earned him the moniker “Kaibutsu” (Monster) in his native Japanese tongue.
However, Inoue initially found the nickname distasteful, believe it or not.
Feeling it misrepresented his disciplined and respectful nature.
A compromise was reached, and the moniker was anglicized to “The Monster,” a title he begrudgingly accepted.
The nickname, though initially a source of discomfort, soon became synonymous with Inoue’s unrivaled dominance.
His opponents, both domestic and international, have succumbed to his relentless onslaught, their hopes of victory extinguished by his monstrous, frankly freakish power.
He really is a monster in the boxing ring. The world super-bantamweight champion has unified all the IBF, WBC, WBO and WBA belts now.
He’s 27-0-24 KO knockouts and frankly no one wants a piece of him.
For a pound for pound clash with Davis to happen one day he’d have to move up multiple divisions and possibly Davis to come down slightly at a catchweight to meet up in a fight.
Never say never.
At 31 Inoue isn’t even in his prime, either.
What’s more, he’s come back from adversity in fights too and shown much resilience.
Always the sign of a great champion.
Next month big time boxing returns to Japan in RIZIN when Manny Pacquiao takes on the RIZIN kickboxing and MMA champion of Japan in a three-round real boxing match.
Maybe getting Inoue to come along on the night would be a good touch to keep growing the sport in Japan and Asia.
What a fighter.
(Photo courtesy of Inoue Instagram)