Even the most dominant fighters face limitations. For multi-division undisputed champion Naoya Inoue, it appears a weight ceiling exists as he ascends through the divisions.
The current super-bantamweight king recently delivered another thrilling performance against Ramon Cardenas, successfully defending all four of his major titles. However, before securing a spectacular eighth-round stoppage, `The Monster` had to rise from the canvas in the second round. This moment demonstrated both his remarkable resilience and his potent finishing ability.
Before potentially moving up, the formidable champion is expected to first defend his titles against WBA interim titlist Murodjon Akhmadaliev. This highly anticipated clash is anticipated in September, likely taking place in Tokyo, Japan, though the exact date and venue are still to be confirmed.
Following the Akhmadaliev bout, Inoue is widely expected to establish himself in the featherweight division (126 lbs). Among potential opponents for a later date, promoter Frank Warren has publicly suggested WBA world champion Nick Ball as an option.
Despite potential future matchups, Inoue has made it clear he has no intention of competing above the featherweight limit. He stated that featherweight represents his physical limit, and he isn`t interested in moving any higher. He explained that his current build dictates this, noting that if he were taller (like 170 cm), it might be different. He added that even at junior featherweight, he is deliberately and carefully building muscle and physique to meet the challenges of the division.
