Inoue Promises A Big Statement Against Nery – ‘We Will Have An Amazing Fight’

Nery is the fifth-best fighter in the division, as per the Ring Magazine rankings. He secured the vacant WBC belt, beating Aaron Alameda. However, he lost in the first defense of his title at the hands of Brandon Figueroa. But Nery has stopped his last four opponents since losing to Figueroa. He is coming off a second-round KO win over Froilan Saludar. Here were the key quotes from the presser.

Quotes

“It is going to be the main event at Tokyo Dome. I want to have an exciting fight and win by KO. The day has finally come. I heard that Nery is also in great condition. I’m sure we will have an amazing fight the day after tomorrow. There has not been a match with such a great environment and timing. I am going to use that as motivation and I want to go out and defend my four belts,” Inoue said

“‘Monster’ Inoue is now a legend in the sport of boxing. He is recognized in the sport as pound-for-pound the No. 1 fighter in the world (Inoue is currently ranked No. 2 in most major rankings after Crawford). Boxing fans, not only here in Japan, but all over the world, will be watching this event to see the ‘Monster’ perform, because he is always Mr. Exciting,” Arum 

“I want to show everyone a win as a Mexican fighter. I’m going into this battle knowing I am risking everything. I’m certain I can win. I will definitely win by knockout.  He is a great fighter. I know I’ll be fighting Inoue, and I 100% want to have a great bout,” Nery

Picks

“I think the Inoue-Nery will be an amazing fight, but I have to go with Inoue by stoppage. I called Nery vs. [Azat] Hovhannisyan which was a Fight of The Year candidate, and loved every second of it. Nery is awesome boxer-puncher, but Inoue is all time great puncher! Nery beats everyone at bantamweight EXCEPT Inoue. Inoue looks unstoppable. Inoue by late TKO,” Sergio Mora former world champion

“I think it’s gonna be very difficult for Nery to go overseas and win. It’s hard to win a championship overseas but then when you’re talking about a pound-for-pound guy, who is one of the best fighters in the world, it’s gonna be very, very difficult to come out victorious. I’m taking Inoue by late stoppage. He has too much punching power and too much speed,” Bob Santos (trainer)

“Nery has nothing to present to Inoue. Nery will be there to be hit and Inoue will KO him whenever he wants too. Inoue KO 5,” Raul Maquez (former world champion)

“With only one loss on his record, Nery has a good chance against Inoue. He is a good solid puncher, like Inoue, so both guys have the ability to hurt each other. I think Nery will force Inoue to stand and trade in close but they will both throw lots of punches. Nery’s straight lefts to the head, from his southpaw stance, may be effective against Inoue, but it will leave him open for the straight rights to the head by Inoue. This could be a close fight in the first half of the fight but I think Inoue will inch closer in the second half and land a left hook to Nery’s body, sending him down and out around the seventh,” Wayne McCullough (former world champion) 

Full Card

Naoya Inoue vs. Luis Nery – Inoue’s Undisputed Super Bantamweight World Title 

Jason Moloney vs. Yoshiki Takei – Moloney’s WBO Bantamweight World Title 

Takuma Inoue vs. Sho Ishida – Inoue’s WBA Bantamweight World Title 

Seigo Yuri Akui vs. Taku Kuwahara – Akui’s WBA Flyweight World Title