Secure the bag, Naoya Inoue (19-0). The 26-year-old Japanese phenom just inked up a “Monster” multi-year deal with Bob Arum’s American promotional company Top Rank Boxing. While we don’t know how much money Inoue collected, we do know that he will be making his US debut in his next fight and it will be broadcasted by ESPN.
The international star will have a hard time surpassing his instant classic with the legendary “Filipino Flash” Nonito Donaire but his stateside arrival will be one of the most anticipated fights on the 2020 calendar regardless. The only negative is that we will probably have to wait longer than expected after Inoue revealed a serious injury from the Donaire fight.
Wait or no wait, here are the nine best potential fights for “The Monster”:
Touching Gloves | Inoue and Donaire Restore Our Faith in Boxing
9. Guillermo Rigondeaux (super- bantamweight)
I mean, Inoue fighting a presumably pass his prime Donaire turned out to be a fight-of-the-year contender. But do we really want to see “The Monster” in the ring with a 39-year-old Guillermo Rigondeaux (19-1)? Ehhh. It wouldn’t be the worst thing, though. The Cuban is the greatest talent Freddie Roach say’s he’s ever seen, and even nearing 40, he serves as a wonderful litmus test for Inoue if he intends on moving up to 122.
8. Nordine Oubaali (bantamweight)
Unlike Joet Gonzalez, Inoue has a realistic shot at avenging a younger sibling. Frenchman Nordine Oubaali (17-0) pieced up his baby brother Takuma on the Donaire fight’s undercard so there’s instant drama for Bob Arum to microwave up. The 33-year-old Olympian also holds the WBC bantamweight strap, so he’s between Inoue and undisputed 118 glory.
But let’s be honest, do we actually want this fight? Naoya can’t fight all of his little brother’s battles, nor should he. Oubaali poses no real threat and a one-sided revenge beatdown seems unneeded given the Frenchman fought a clean fight and simply outclassed the junior Inoue.
7. Zolani Tete (bantamweight)
It’s pretty crazy to think people were actually disappointed about an Inoue vs. Donaire World Boxing Super Series final. That’s because WBO champ Zolani Tete (28-3… sorry Falcons fans) was heavily-favored to face Inoue for the Ali trophy before pulling out with an injury. A few days ago, the South African called out “The Monster” for a unification bout. Expect this fight to be on Arum’s to-do list.
6. “Chocolatito” (junior-bantamweight)
It wasn’t too long ago that Roman Gonzalez (47-2), best known as “Chocolatito,” was the best boxer in the world. After eating a pair of losses to Srisaket Sor Rungvisai in 2017, the Nicaraguan legend fell off the grid, fighting only once again since. A fight against Inoue was something boxing fans were pleading for a few years back. It’s probably too late for a competitive fight, but we’d still love to see it.
5. Emanuel Navarrete (super-bantamweight)
Inoue has expressed interest in moving up all the way to super featherweight (more on that later), but baby-steps first. Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete (29-1) is the kingpin of 122, the next division up. The cowboy-cosplaying 24-year-old Mexican is no “Old Town Road” extra, boasting a set of heavy hands and little hesitation for letting them fly. He’s a fellow Top Rank fighter, so if Inoue wants to fight him, Arum will make it happen.
4. Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (junior- bantamweight)
Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (47-5-1) is the ideal Inoue opponent for those left wanting more after the Donaire fight. Like the “Filipino Flash,” SSR is a granite-chinned South-East Asian fighter with obscene power. Inoue would also be in for a monster payday. The 32-year-old is an institution in his native Thailand, whose fight once drew a ridiculous 58.5% TV ratings share.
3. Juan Francisco Estrada (junior- bantamweight)
Now that it’s no longer hip to be an Inoue fan, “El Gallo” Juan Francisco Estrada (40-3) has replaced him as the best P4P fighter you’ve never heard of. While the other two junior bantamweight opponents on this list are bigger names, the 29-year-old Mexican poses a dangerous threat and has one of the most entertaining fighting-styles you’ve never seen.
2. Vasyl Lomachenko (super featherweight)
Don’t shoot the messenger. Inoue called out Vasyl Lomachenko (14-1) earlier this year. We’re aware that jumping up 3-4 weight classes to fight arguably the best fighter in the world is insanity…. and that’s exactly why we want to see it.
1. Luis Nery (bantamweight)
Not counting Logan Paul, there’s no professional boxer the Japanese hate more than Luis Nery (30-0). After several stunts he pulled against beloved local veteran Shinsuke Yamanaka, the 24-year-old Mexican found himself forever blacklisted from the “Land of the Rising Sun.” Given that he’s also a top bantamweight, an Inoue vs. Nery fight almost makes too much sense. The only issue? Nery’s with PBC, Top Rank’s bitter nemesis. Let’s hope boxing politics doesn’t rob us of another potential classic.
