Naoya Inoue is one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world and on Saturday in Las Vegas he will make his promotional debut with Top Rank inside the bubble at the MGM Grand Conference Center (7:30 pm ET on ESPN +).
The 27-year-old bantamweight is a superstar in Japan and his signing with Top Rank presented an opportunity for a new market to discover his talent and watch his already impressive career continue.
The unified champion faces Jason Moloney in his next title defense, but before Inoue (19-0, 16 KOs) steps into the ring, he sat down with ESPN’s Mark Kriegel to discuss what he calls his career restart. , why he is known as “Monster” and his thoughts on Teofimo López’s victory over Vasiliy Lomachenko earlier this month.
Editor’s Note: Responses have been edited for clarity and brevity.
Kriegel: Why do they call you “The Monster”?
The owner of my gym gave me that nickname – “kaibutsu”, the monster – when I had my first match. When he was active in boxing, people used to say that he was a genius. When I debuted, someone asked him how genius I was, then he replied that he was beyond that. He told him that I am a monster.
I felt some pressure when I first got that nickname, of course. But it became comfortable after many years. I think it’s an easy nickname to remember in America, so I’m grateful to have it.
It seems to us here in America that you arrive as a spectacular knockout fighter. Is this how you see it?
It’s not like I’m always going to knock out my opponents. I want to show that kind of fight too, but I don’t think that’s what boxing is about. I want to show all my techniques and skills.
What makes you cool?
I do not know. To be honest, I am far from satisfied with my own boxing. This is why I can stay motivated to be stronger. But … I really don’t know.
I am still not satisfied with my boxing and my career, so I still have room to improve. I am cautious not to be overconfident. And it’s not like he’s forcing me to think that way, I really do.
You have been a professional for eight years. You said you would fight for eight more. What would you like to achieve during that time?
Now is the key point, it will be an important new beginning. The next fight, on the 31st, means everything to me. I look forward to being active in the United States for the next eight years.
You have enormous fame, love, admiration in Japan. Why did you want to come here?
By continuing to win not only in Japan, but also in Las Vegas, the boxing capital of the world, I want to receive worldwide recognition. That is my goal.
What motivates you?
My willingness to show my fans better fights is my motivation. The support of my family and my fans means a lot, that’s what motivates me.
What are your top five pounds per pound?
Lomachenko, Terence Crawford, Canelo Alvarez, I include myself, then Errol Spence.
But Lomachenko just lost. What did you think of that fight?
In that particular fight, I don’t think Lomachenko was like him at all. Nor do I think he has lost his skills. Maybe Lomachenko didn’t fit in at lightweight. Although he lost in that fight, my evaluation of him has not changed.
I think that [Teófimo] López was a brilliant boxer. He followed every move Lomachenko had made. I imagine how much he studied and practiced.
In the second round of your most recent fight, with Nonito Donaire, he hit you with a hook that fractured your orbital bone. What do you remember about that punch?
I remember every move Donaire made and saw that moment when I took the hit. I remember everything clearly.
I was able to know my limits through that fight. I used to think I was a good fist catcher, but I’ve never been in that kind of situation, so I think I was able to learn a lot more about myself. I think I was able to show my toughness.
What does Jason Moloney do well? And where is it vulnerable?
I think he is a high level fighter. Finding your weakness is very difficult. I am well prepared and I have the strategy for when we enter the ring.
Moloney said Donaire showed everyone that you are not invincible somehow. Is right?
That is something to discover in the ring. But, if you’re saying that based on the 12 rounds with Donaire, you’re probably not getting the point. In regards to that fight, I couldn’t do half of what I wanted to do. It was that kind of fight.
I think everyone knows this by now, but I was seeing double starting in the second round of that fight. In the fifth, I was throwing my punches just on instinct. It was obviously not my normal fighting style. So if Moloney is strategizing based on that fight, that would be lucky for me.
You have two sons. Do you want any of them to become a fighter?
No. It is a dangerous sport. I know how difficult and painful it is.
You said, “I like to create moments that entertain the fans, including those where I knock out my opponents.” What do you want to show on Halloween?
If I can enjoy the fight myself, the spectators should be able to enjoy it too. I want to increase the enjoyment by showing my skills, techniques and power shots.
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