Naoya ‘Monster’ Inoue vs Luis Nery: How good is Japan’s superstar?

Nery, a heavy underdog, has described Inoue as “overrated, over-confident and ordinary” – but the champion’s accolades say otherwise.

Inoue has lived up to the moniker ‘kaibutsu’ – translated to ‘the monster’ – bestowed upon him by gym owner and former world champion Hideyuki Ohashi after just one fight.

He is a four-weight world champion and the only male fighter – after Terence Crawford – to become undisputed in two weight classes.

“Inoue does pretty much everything very, very well. He has crazy power but his technique is flawless and his balance is sublime. These are hall of fame attributes,” Jones says.

“But that power – he carries it throughout. He can knock you out in round one or knock you out in round 12. He can even take a good shot.”

Southpaw Nery is himself a two-division champion and has just one blemish on his record – a stoppage loss to Brandon Figueroa in 2021.

“It’s a good and fun fight” Jones says. “I wouldn’t be surprised if it goes late but with the power in his right hand, I think Inoue will win inside the distance.”

Jones expects Inoue to move up to featherweight and has identified the winner of WBC champion Ray Ford or Nick Ball – who fight in Riyadh on 1 June – as a potential next opponent.

“When you move up in weight, your reputation precedes you and I fancy Inoue against either of them,” he says.

“From there on, an undisputed title in a third division would undoubtedly put him as an all-time great.”