Japan's undisputed super bantamweight world champion Naoya Inoue said Saturday that he has high hopes for defending his four belts against Mexico's Luis Neri in Monday's bout.
Inoue said at a press conference in Yokohama, “I'm sure it's going to be a monumental fight.I want to see him win by knockout.''
The match between the two will be a featured card at the Tokyo Dome, which will host a boxing world title fight for the first time in 34 years.
Japan's undisputed super bantamweight world champion Naoya Inoue (left) shakes hands with Mexico's Luis Nery at a press conference in Yokohama on May 4, 2024, two days before their title fight at Tokyo Dome. (Joint)
“It's not often that you get the timing of a match in such a great environment,” Inoue said.
Neri, who was suspended by the WBC for weighing 2.3 kg over the bantamweight title match limit of 55.8 kg held in Japan in March 2018, had no problem with his weight this time and won by knockout. He said he wanted it.
Inoue has a professional record of 26 wins, 0 losses, and 23 KOs, while Neri has 35 wins, 1 loss, and 27 KOs.
In addition to their fight, the Tokyo Dome card includes three other world title matches.
Takuma Inoue, the younger brother of the super bantamweight champion, will defend his WBA bantamweight title for the second time against fellow top contender Sho Ishida.
WBA flyweight champion Seigo Akui will face No. 3 ranked Taku Kuwabara in his first defense, while Australian WBO bantamweight champion Jason Moloney will face No. 10 ranked former K-1 kickboxer Yoshiki Takei.
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