Naoya Inoue (31-0, 27 KO) is simply a sensational fighter. This writer has run out of adjectives to describe him: the Japanese Monster deserves a league of his own in today’s boxing landscape, even one already filled with phenomenal talents, contrary to what nostalgists may say.
A small samurai capable of generating terrifying power for his weight class and beyond, a fighter with world-class technique, impeccable timing, and above all unreal precision, punishing the liver and face of anyone standing in front of him. Add to that an indomitable temperament—borderline reckless—that drives him to engage head-on with opponents he could easily outclass from a safer distance.
This and much more could be said about a unique figure in world boxing. His latest scalp came just hours ago, when he dismantled yet another foe: Uzbekistan’s Murodjon Akhmadaliev (14-2, 11 KO). Known as “MJ,” the southpaw is an aggressive boxer with solid power and accuracy. An Olympic bronze medalist in Rio 2016, he was unbeaten until a split decision loss to Marlon Tapales—a setback that dimmed the initial hype around him as one of Inoue’s most intriguing potential rivals. Still, Akhmadaliev worked his way back into title contention with three consecutive KOs, though against unheralded opposition.
At the IG Arena in Nagoya, fans witnessed yet another showcase of Inoue’s brilliance. With all the super bantamweight titles he unified in 2023 at stake, the Japanese phenom cruised to a dominant unanimous decision, with scorecards of 117-111 and two at 118-110.
The result left no room for doubt. MJ tried to contain Inoue’s surgical boxing but failed completely. Once again, Inoue swept away his challenger with frightening ease. The bout was merciless and confirmed that the Monster has scorched the earth around him. He is simply too much for anyone at 122 pounds.
Inoue entered the ring with his trademark confidence, though moving more cautiously in the early rounds compared to recent fights, where he had been caught off guard—more from overconfidence than vulnerability.
Akhmadaliev, unusually tentative, seemed well aware of the danger in front of him. Inoue moved fluidly, while the Uzbek remained more flat-footed. Fans saw a new version of Inoue—more fencer than destroyer. Even so, open exchanges from mid-range were plentiful, with both men taunting each other. Yet the Monster always came out on top, superior in every possible way: speed, timing, power, footwork. He glided around the ring with endless class, unshakable confidence, and a paradoxical taste for risk, at times absorbing offense he could have avoided just to counter with explosive flurries.
Jabs, straight rights, left hooks, liver shots: the usual repertoire, on display across 12 rounds in what was essentially a Japanese masterclass. Inoue even provoked his opponent at times, seemingly eager to entertain, with a playful, almost amused approach to pure combat.
Always pressing forward, Akhmadaliev had no answers. The rare moments he landed combinations looked like mere concessions from Inoue. Could the Uzbek have done anything differently? Perhaps more body work, perhaps less frontal positioning against one of the fastest and hardest punchers alive, perhaps a braver all-out attack—though that would likely have ended in a knockout defeat. For now, Inoue remains an unsolvable puzzle.
On the same day Terence “Bud” Crawford proved once and for all why he belongs in the pantheon (see the recap of Crawford vs. Canelo here), on the other side of the world Inoue reaffirmed that he is the undisputed ruler of the lighter divisions—a once-in-a-lifetime fighter, just like Crawford. Up next, Japan awaits his mandatory WBC defense against David Picasso at year’s end. But, let’s be honest: what everyone is truly waiting for is the showdown with fellow Japanese star Junto Nakatani—a clash that promises fireworks like few others.