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Monster vs. Panther: Naoya Inoue vs. Luis Nery May 6 live on ESPN+ at 4 p.m. ET

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The Monster vs. Pantera: Naoya Inoue vs Luis Nery on May 6, live on ESPN+ at 4 am ET

In a fight that will be full of bombs, undisputed super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue (26-0, 23 KO) will defend his titles against mandatory WBC title challenger Luis “Pantera” Nery (35-1, 27 KO). ON Monday, May 6 at Tokyo Dome LIVE on ESPN+ at 4am ET / 1am PT / 9am UK.

In an invigorating co-feature, Australia’s Jason “Mayhem” Moloney (27-2, 19 KO) will defend his WBO bantamweight world title against former kickboxing champion Yoshiki Takei (8-0, 8 KO), who established a perfect knockout record with Japan.

Adding to the international atmosphere is Takuma Inoue (19-1, 5 KO), the younger brother of the notable bantamweight Naoya Inoue, who will defend the WBA bantamweight title. His opponent, Sho Ishida (34-3, 17 KO), is an experienced fighter and former world title contender who promises to be a clash full of strategic skills.

Moreover, the gala announces a decisive rematch in which Seigo Yuri Akui (19-2-1, 11 KO) will fight for the WBA flyweight world title against Taku Kuwahara (13-1, 8 KO). Their previous fight in 2021 had fans clamoring for more, setting the stage for another intense clash.

Former two-division world champion Nery destroyed Japanese star Shinsuke Yamanaka in lightning-quick knockouts in 2017 and 2018, and some fans were still bitter about the way the Mexican southpaw blew the former WBC champion at 118 pounds.

Inoue-Nery and three additional world title bouts will be broadcast live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ starting at 4 a.m. ET/1 a.m. PT.

It is believed that Monster Inoue’s decision to stay at 122 pounds for this fight is intended to seek revenge for the loss of Yamanaka. If Inoue wins, he is expected to move up to 126 pounds and will look to win four titles in that weight class to become the undisputed champion.

Inoue: the reign of domination

Inoue looked outstanding in her tenth-round knockout victory over IBF and WBA super bantamweight champion Marlon Tapales (37-4, 19 KO) on Tuesday night to claim the undisputed 122-pound title at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.

In the tenth set, Inoue twice hit straight shots to the head of Tapales, who stepped back and fell tardy. Then the fight was stopped.

It was a tougher fight than expected for the 30-year-old Naoya, as Tapales easily landed his best shots that didn’t look as powerful as some of the other fighters in the 122-pound weight class.

The fight showed that Inoue’s punches did not have as much power on them as in the other three weight classes he fought in. Perhaps for this reason, Inoue has decided to stay at his level at 122 for now, rather than move up to 126 and mix in facing champions in that weight class.

The victory keeps Naoya high on the pound-for-pound list, but he will need to do more to prove he is worthy of Terence Crawford’s rating as many Americans have been unimpressed with the level of his opponents throughout his career.

Nery: controversial challenger

Southern midfielder Nery has the power and credentials as a former two-division world champion to deserve a title shot against Inoue.

Fans disagree with this choice due to Nery testing positive for the banned chemical Zilpaterol following his victory over former WBC bantamweight champion Shinsuke Yamanaka in 2017.

Nery destroyed the aging 39-year-old Yamanaka, stopping him in the fourth round. Nery then tested positive for Zilpaterol.

A year later, Nery stopped Yamanaka by knockout in the second round, but he was three pounds over the limit for that fight and was criticized. It didn’t matter. Nery would have beaten Yamanaka even if he had gained weight because he was the younger, stronger and better fighter.

A piquant fight

Nery has the power, speed and size to end Inoue’s reign in May. Inoue is an excellent fighter, but his opponent is nothing special because he moves in different weight classes.

38-year-old Nonito Donaire hurt Inoue and showed that he is not what fans think. David Carmona was driving Inoue crazy and seemed furious that he couldn’t knock him out.

Nery may be the one to defeat the Monster and bring him back to earth. At this point, it might be a good idea for Inoue to forget about the rematch and focus on getting back to 118, where he doesn’t hit as tough.

Event details:

  • Date: Monday, May 6, 2024
  • Start time: 4:00 ET / 1:00 PT / 9:00 UK time
  • Streaming: Live on ESPN+
  • Premises: Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan

Battle Card:

  1. Naoya Inoue vs. Luis Nery – Undisputed junior featherweight title
  2. Jason Moloney vs. Yoshiki Takei – WBO bantamweight championship
  3. Takuma Inoue vs. Sho Ishida – WBA bantamweight championship
  4. Seigo Yuri Akui vs. Taku Kuwahara – WBA Flyweight Championship

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Ryan Rozicki is waiting for Badou Jack’s consent to mandatory cooperation with the WBC

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Badou Jack Rozicki Mikaelian WBC

The World Boxing Council (WBC) ordered world cruiserweight champion Badou “The Ripper” Jack (20-1-1, 19 KO) to make a mandatory title defense against Ryan “The Bruiser” Rozicki (20-1), number 1 in the WBC ranking – 1, 19 KOs).

If both camps fail to successfully negotiate an agreement, the WBC will organize a tender on February 4, followed by the Jack vs. Rozicki. Rozicki’s promoter, Three Lions Promotions, immediately sent Team Jacek an offer to promote the fight in Canada last week.

“We are waiting for their counteroffer,” explained promoter Dan Otter of Three Lions Promotions. “Boxing has had a huge resurgence in Canada and Ryan is leading the way. He is one of the most electrifying and hardest-hitting fighters in boxing, definitely in the cruiserweight division. He wants the WBC green belt and ultimately the unification of the division. Ryan will fight Jack anywhere for the belt.”

29-year-old Rozicki, born in Sydney (Nova Scotia) and living in Hamilton (Ontario), fought 22 professional fights against 21 different opponents (twice against Yamil Alberto Peralta), stopping 19 of the 20 opponents he defeated. an eye-opening 95-KO percentage.

Jack, 41, was a 2008 Olympian representing his native Sweden. He is a three-division world champion, as well as the WBC super middleweight and World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight heavyweight title holder. Jack has a record of 5-0-2 (2 KO) in world championship fights.

“We respect Jack and I don’t want to sound disrespectful,” Otter added, “but he’s over 40 years vintage and has been relatively inactive for two years (only one fight). He brings a lot of experience and respect to the ring, but he will fight a newborn defender with a lot of power. Jack is going to struggle and honestly, I don’t think he’ll make it past the first few rounds.”

Ryan Rozicki is on a mission to become the first Canadian cruiserweight world champion.

The next move is Badou Jack’s.

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Floyd Mayweather’s record is not normal, it can’t happen in 70 years

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Floyd Mayweather 50-0

Floyd Mayweather’s incredible 50-0 record is not normal and cannot be repeated in sports for another seventy years.

This is the view of Saudi Arabian president Turki Alalshikh, who wants to adopt the UFC model in which fighters lose many fights during their career.

In a speech as he hosted the Ring Magazine Awards after acquiring the long-running boxing publication from Oscar De La Hoya, Alalshikh was unequivocal in his opinion.

“Now losing some fights in boxing must be normal,” he explained. “All fighters want a career similar to Floyd Mayweather – no losses. This may happen once every 50, 60 or 70 years.

“We need it [to be] like currently in the UFC model, where champions lose and win,” added the matchmaker during the Riyad season.

Mayweather rose through the sport in the tardy 1990s to become one of its youngest superstars. Mayweather’s professional success came after winning a bronze medal at the Olympics after losing to Serafim Todorov.

Winning world titles in five weight classes, Mayweather was untouchable. The Grand Rapids native only came close to defeat a few times. He dominated Manny Pacquiao and overtook Canelo Alvarez and Oscar De La Hoya after heated debates, with decisions that should have been made unanimously.

Towards the end of his career, Mayweather chose to face Andre Berto and Conor McGregor, easily winning and ending his boxing career at the age of 50 without ever going out. Calling himself “the greatest of all time,” Mayweather earned first-ballot Hall of Fame honors and is widely considered one of, if not the greatest defensive fighter of all time.

However, Alalshikh says this type of career needs to end so that fans can get the most out of boxing, as is the case with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Boxing needs to become more attractive, and Alalshikh sees the failures of top stars as a way to keep interest at an all-time high.

In this sport, many boxers enjoy undefeated streaks, the most notable of which is Oleksandr Usyk. The Ukrainian Pound for Pound King is 23-0 and has beaten the best he has to offer in his division and cruiserweight classification.

It remains a mystery how Alalshikh plans to make Usyk suffer while he dominates everyone else. By the time his grand plan goes into action, Usyk will be long gone, and Gervonta Davis, Shakur Stevenson and Devin Haney may be more realistic targets.

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Manny Pacquiao remains the favorite to win the title against Mario Barrios

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Manny Pacquiao vs Barrios

WBN understands that despite alternative options emerging, it is more likely that Manny Pacquiao will face Mario Barrios next.

Bob Santos, coach of WBC welterweight champion Barrios, told World Boxing News that he is currently in contact with Pacquiao’s team. Asked by WBN if he had spoken to Pacquiao or representatives of any other challenger, Santos replied: “Yes, Pacquiao’s promoter, Sean Gibbons.” Pressed on whether Barrios vs Pacquiao might happen next, he added: “It’s challenging to say. We’ll have to see how this plays out.”

WBN contacted Santos after Conor Benn emerged as a potential alternative to Barrios. The British fighter, who recently returned from a suspension following two positive drug tests, is keen to return to competition.

Benn showed favor with the World Boxing Council at the recent WBC Convention, the WBC Evaluation Committee and during an interview with the sanctioning body over the weekend. “The Destroyer” is ranked second in the rankings at 147 pounds, despite less than solid opponents during his time in exile, during which Benn competed twice in the United States while his career in the United Kingdom was in doubt.

As he battled to clear his name and with the British Anti-Doping Authority finding no evidence that Benn had intentionally taken ostarine, the 28-year-old’s career took a pointed nosedive. Despite this, he remains highly rated and at least one step away from fighting for an eliminator or one of the remaining championship titles.

However, Pacquiao remains Barrios’ favorite. Now it’s up to the boxing legend and Hall of Famer who got the first votes to secure his shot. WBN believes a July date – most likely at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas – is the most realistic date for a Nevada swan song.

Pacquiao could extend his record as the oldest welterweight champion by six years if he can secure a huge victory over the 29-year-old world champion. At 46 years antique, such a scenario remains unlikely, but he can never be compared to one of the greatest players of this generation.

Unlike heavier boxers and his training regiment, Pacquiao looks in great shape despite his advanced age. Everything is set for a massive return to the boxing capital of the world, provided Pacquiao and his team can manage his political ambitions, which are expected to run from this month until May. After that time, Pacquiao could find himself in the summer finals and become the all-time champion, regardless of the result.

Barrios is based in the city, where he trained with Santos, and would be the perfect opponent to see out the career of one of the greatest fighters in history.

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