The impact Naoya Inoue has had since turning pro less than 12 years ago is astonishing, and even more so when you try to assess his 10 best performances.
- Adrian Hernandez, TKO 6 (April 6, 2014)
Inoue, who heads into his first world title fight with a 5-0 record, made everything look so easy as he dominated and stopped the WBC junior flyweight boss within six rounds.
- Jamie McDonnell, TKO 1 (May 25, 2018)
This was a great introduction to bantamweight. McDonnell was world-proven and sturdy, but he was dismantled in a violent 112 seconds.
- Marlon Tapares, KO 10 (December 26, 2023)
The double belt holder's beatdown showed Inoue's versatility at the highest level as he earned an undisputed spot in the second weight division.
- Juan Carlos Payano, KO 1 (October 7, 2018)
The finish, perhaps the most cinematic of Inoue's career to date, was beautifully orchestrated with a whipcracker right hand that knocked Payano off balance.
- Nonito Donaire, UD 12 (November 7, 2019)
It was a thrilling match in which Inoue displayed rare competition. It was a testament to the quality of both fighters that the injured Inoue (fractured right orbit) was knocked down in the final stages of the fight (round 11) and Donaire survived.
- Omar Andres Narváez, KO 2 (December 30, 2014)
A performance that definitely caught the attention of the world. Displaying an aggressive repertoire that belies a 21-year-old, Inoue dethroned 13-time WBO junior bantamweight champion Omar Andres Narváez.th defense. Inoue dropped Narvaez twice in the first and second rounds. The veteran, who had lost just one of his previous 46 matches, was unable to get back up after his fourth fall.
- Jason Moloney, KO 7 (October 31, 2020)
In Las Vegas, Inoue expertly outboxed Jason Moloney from long range for the first six minutes, and did his first damage in the third round with a devastating left uppercut. A right cross surprised Moloney in the fifth, and the next time Inoue dug deeper into his box, putting his opponent on the floor and falling back for the sweetest left hook. The finishing blow that snapped Moloney in half as he fell to the mat in the seventh round was incredible.
- Nonito Donaire, TKO 2 (June 7, 2022)
Whether it was Inoue improving from their first matchup or Donaire fading, it was actually a combination of both, but the rematch was hardly competitive. Inoue cornered Donaire, who won the WBC bantamweight title, right from the start and knocked him down at the end of the first round. Nearing the end, Inoue set out on his rival to complete the demolition work midway through the second match.
- Emmanuel Rodriguez, KO 2 (May 18, 2019)
Enraged by the incident in which his father and coach Shingo Inoue was shoved by Rodriguez's trainer Williams Cruz, the “monster” wasted no time in feasting on his perceived threat beforehand. . Inoue mocked those who claimed the WBSS bantamweight semifinals were a 50-50 matchup, with a fierce battle that saw him drop Rodriguez three times and give him a bloody nose.
- Stephen Fulton, TKO 8 (July 25, 2023)
In one of the most complete and impressive performances of 2023, perhaps underrated as Terrence Crawford defeated Errol Spence Jr. just days later, Inoue definitely defeated Stephen Fulton. It was easily defeated. Philadelphia's Fulton, a talented and determined tradesman labeled by many as a favorite to win, came in with ambition but didn't get around to it until he was rescued in round eight.