Japan’s pound-for-pound hero, Naoya “The Monster” Inoue, is gearing up to headline the biggest boxing event in his country’s history. He will defend his undisputed junior featherweight world title against Mexican puncher Luis “Pantera” Nery on Monday, May 6 at the iconic Tokyo Dome.
Livestream Details:
The Inoue-Nery bout, along with three additional world title fights, will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ at 4 a.m. ET/1 a.m. PT.
Additional Title Fights:
- Australia’s WBO bantamweight world champion, Jason “Mayhem” Moloney, will defend his belt against rising knockout artist Yoshiki Takei.
- Takuma Inoue, younger brother of Naoya and WBA bantamweight world champion, defends his title against former world title challenger Sho Ishida.
- Newly minted WBA flyweight world champion Seigo Yuri Akui battles Taku Kuwahara in a rematch of their 2021 Japanese title bout.
Quotes:
Bob Arum (Top Rank Chairman):
“Naoya Inoue is the world’s best fighter, a young man who amazes me every time he steps in the ring. Luis Nery is a tough challenger, but I fully expect Inoue to get the job done in front of more than 50,000 fans at the Tokyo Dome.”
Jason Moloney:
“I’ve always wanted to fight in Japan, and to do it on this huge show in front of a sold-out crowd at the Tokyo Dome is what dreams are made of. I want to be known as a throwback world champion.”
Tokyo Dome History:
The Tokyo Dome has a rich boxing history, with notable events including Mike Tyson defending the undisputed heavyweight championship and James “Buster” Douglas’s upset victory over Tyson.
Fighter Profiles:
- Naoya Inoue (26-0, 23 KOs): A four-weight world champion and two-weight undisputed king, Inoue boasts an impressive record in world title fights. He aims to solidify his dominance in the junior featherweight division.
- Luis Nery (35-1, 27 KOs): A former two-weight world champion, Nery is determined to reclaim his status as a world-class boxer. With four straight wins since his setback against Brandon Figueroa, he poses a significant challenge to Inoue.
- Jason Moloney (27-2, 19 KOs): Defending his WBO bantamweight world title, Moloney is no stranger to tough challenges. He looks forward to defending his title in Japan against the undefeated Yoshiki Takei.
Conclusion:
With an electrifying lineup of fights and a sold-out crowd expected at the Tokyo Dome, the event promises to be a spectacle for boxing fans worldwide. Don’t miss the action-packed night of world-class boxing on May 6!
