Organizers announced on the 6th that Naoya Inoue (Ohashi), the unified world super bantamweight champion of the four major boxing groups, will defend his defense against former world two-division champion Luis Neri (Mexico) at the Tokyo Dome on May 6th. announced. At a press conference in Tokyo, Takashi Inoue expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “We will aim to win without letting anything happen.”
Naoya Inoue and Luis Neri stand at a press conference and stare at each other at a hotel in Tokyo on the 6th.
In December of last year, Takashi Inoue became the second person in the world to unify the championships in four groups in two weight classes. This will be the second time for the World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Organization (WBO) titles, and the first defense for the World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) titles. The 30-year-old Takashi Inoue has 26 wins (23 KOs), while the 29-year-old Neri has 35 wins (27 KOs) and 1 loss.
It has been 34 years since professional boxing was held at Tokyo Dome, since heavyweight Mike Tyson (USA) competed in world championships in 1988 and 1990. This will be the first time that a Japanese athlete will be in the main event.
◆“Previous convictions” for being overweight and doping…Can you compete cleanly?
Takashi Inoue’s expression exuded confidence and nervousness. At the press conference for the match on the big stage, he enthusiastically stated, “We’re facing a strong player like Neri. It’s a fight where we have to keep our guard up. We have to finish as best as ever. It’s going to be a heated match.”
In December of last year, he became the second person in the world to hold four championships in two weight classes. He will be making his first defense of four belts. Moreover, the venue is Tokyo Dome. With the ring attracting attention from around the world, the challenger chosen from among many candidates was the combative Neri, a former two-division world champion.
Luis Neri stands on stage and looks at Naoya Inoue’s four belts.
Takashi Inoue gave his impression of him, saying, “He has great punching power, but he’s more resilient to being hit.” Hideyuki Ohashi, president of the gym he belongs to, is also wary, saying, “Inoue is the scariest he’s ever been.Recently, there have been almost no fighters who have come to beat or defeat Inoue.This is the first time I have an opponent who has both of those things.”
Neri is also a player with a connection to the Japanese boxing world. In 2018, he lost weight in the bantamweight world match against Shinsuke Yamanaka and lost the title. He was suspended indefinitely from all activities in Japan, but his suspension was lifted in February of this year. It has been revealed that he tested positive for doping during the match against Yamanaka in 2017, so whether he can hold a clean match will be crucial.
Hisashi Inoue was said to have watched the 2018 match between Yamanaka and Neri on the spot, but he declared, “This fight is me versus Neri. I won’t bring past ties into the fight.” “I want to put on a match worthy of being the champion of the four organizations. If I can defeat Neri by an overwhelming margin, I can take a step forward in my career.” My spirits are high for the big match. (Yohei Maruyama)
◆Tokyo Dome for the first time in 34 years since the Tyson match: “I never thought it would be me…”
This will be the third time in 34 years that boxing will be held at Tokyo Dome, and the first time a Japanese will take to the ring in the main event. Takashi Inoue said excitedly, “I’m very motivated. I think it’s a tremendous performance. I’m filled with those feelings.”
The last two times at Tokyo Dome were in March 1988 and February 1990. Both heavyweight champion Mike Tyson (USA) was the headliner. This was before Hisashi Inoue was born.
Chairman Ohashi (far left) expressed his feelings about the opening of the Tokyo Dome.Naoya Inoue (center) and his opponent Luis Neri at a press conference
Ohashi Gym Chairman Ohashi attended the Tokyo Dome performance in February 1990 when he was still active, and admired the big events held at the dome. “It’s been 34 years since then. I never thought I’d be able to do it (as a promoter). It’s been a long journey,” he said, adding, “Takashi Inoue’s presence and the contents of the matches so far. That’s all that matters.” .
The largest number of spectators for a boxing event in Japan was 51,600 at Tokyo Dome, which was the second event. The number of seats for this event has not yet been officially determined. However, recently there have been 100,000 applications for tickets for Takashi Inoue. Chairman Ohashi said, “We can accommodate 50,000 people,” and the sight of a packed audience showed his confidence. (Masanori Moriai)
◆Shaking hands with Shinsuke Yamanaka, who forced him into retirement
Luis Neri and Shinsuke Yamanaka exchanged words after the press conference.
At the beginning of the press conference, challenger Neri apologized for her past doping and overweight issues, saying, “I’m happy to be able to set foot on Japanese soil again.First of all, I would like to apologize to everyone.”
This match will be subject to doping tests, including strict pre-weigh-in and surprise tests. The upper limit for super bantamweight is 55.3kg, but with two months left until the fight, he currently weighs 60kg, saying, “I’ve betrayed you twice.This time, I want to control myself, adjust, and have a great fight.” uttered.
After the press conference, I met Shinsuke Yamanaka, who was present at the venue. Neri apologized, saying, “My mistake ended my career.” When Mr. Yamanaka called out to him and wished him a good match, he smiled and shook hands.