Inoue has eyes for 5 divisional titles before retirement, open to Nery bout
This past weekend Naoya Inoue (18-0, 16) [井上 尚弥] scored his latest win, stopping Puerto Rican fighter Emmanuel Rodriguez (19-1, 12) in 2 rounds, to add the IBF Bantamweight title to his growing collection of belts. Following that he has seen his profile rise massively and various interviews being done.
Among the multitude of stories about Inoue to have come out since his win is that he is targeting an eventual move up to Featherweight, in an attempt to become a 5 weight champion before his career is over.
This has been reported on Nikkan Sports, who have quoted Inoue as suggesting he is looking to ultimately become a 5-weight champion before retiring, with Featherweight being the highest he is expected to go. If he managed that then he would match the likes of Tommy Hearns, Sugar Ray Leonard, Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather Jr, with only Manny Pacquiao winning titles over more divisions.
The idea of the Featherweight division has long been seen as the most likely division where Inoue finishes his career, with his father and trainer Shingo mentioning it a few years ago and his body not really being suited to going any higher, given his reach, height and body type.
Nikkan sports also reported that Inoue is open to facing the controversial Luis Nery (29-0, 23), despite Nery being given an indefinite ban from fighting in Japan.
Although he's scored a huge win on Saturday Inoue is expected to get back to training in the very near future, with his father suggesting they start running when Inoue returns to Japan, tomorrow!
Among the multitude of stories about Inoue to have come out since his win is that he is targeting an eventual move up to Featherweight, in an attempt to become a 5 weight champion before his career is over.
This has been reported on Nikkan Sports, who have quoted Inoue as suggesting he is looking to ultimately become a 5-weight champion before retiring, with Featherweight being the highest he is expected to go. If he managed that then he would match the likes of Tommy Hearns, Sugar Ray Leonard, Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather Jr, with only Manny Pacquiao winning titles over more divisions.
The idea of the Featherweight division has long been seen as the most likely division where Inoue finishes his career, with his father and trainer Shingo mentioning it a few years ago and his body not really being suited to going any higher, given his reach, height and body type.
Nikkan sports also reported that Inoue is open to facing the controversial Luis Nery (29-0, 23), despite Nery being given an indefinite ban from fighting in Japan.
Although he's scored a huge win on Saturday Inoue is expected to get back to training in the very near future, with his father suggesting they start running when Inoue returns to Japan, tomorrow!