Japanese sensation Naoya Inoue has dismissed the possibility of stepping up 13 pounds to challenge Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis at 135, stating that his motivation for boxing goes beyond financial gain. Taking on Tank Davis would be an immense challenge for any fighter, particularly one who struggled against a past-his-prime Nonito Donaire, who was 37 years old at the time.
Considering the Risks of Moving Up in Weight
While moving up in weight would undoubtedly result in a lucrative payday for the 30-year-old Inoue (26-0, 23 KOs) in a lightweight clash against Davis, it would also present significant dangers for the ‘Monster’, potentially leading to a disastrous outcome.
Inoue endured significant punishment in his most recent bout against the hard-hitting IBF/WBA super bantamweight champion Marlon Tapales during their undisputed championship clash in Japan last December. Some speculate that this is the reason why Naoya has chosen to remain in the 122-pound division. Tapales unleashed a barrage of powerful blows, causing Inoue to absorb considerable damage before ultimately being stopped in the tenth round.
Considering Inoue’s struggles against Tapales, it would be an insurmountable task for him to move up three weight classes and challenge Gervonta for his WBA title at 135. Even stepping up to 130 at super featherweight to face formidable champions such as Joe Cordina and Emanuel Navarrete would likely prove to be a step too far for Inoue.
Sticking with What Works
Naoya has found success fighting at 122, both in terms of financial gain and defeating opponents in his weight class. It would be illogical for him to jeopardize this by venturing up to 135 and risking a brutal defeat at the hands of a formidable opponent like Gervonta Davis, who would undoubtedly pose a significant threat to Inoue’s well-being.
“I always strive to showcase the best version of Naoya Inoue. I wouldn’t compete in the super featherweight division solely for monetary reasons. Many fighters have pursued money and ultimately failed to perform and eventually quit. The reason I box goes beyond financial gain. The existence of weight divisions in boxing serves a purpose,” stated Naoya Inoue to RingTV, firmly rejecting the notion of moving up to 135 to face Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis for his WBA ‘regular’ lightweight title.
It is clear that Inoue would be outclassed if he were to step up to 135 and face the likes of Gervonta Davis or other formidable fighters such as Vasily Lomachenko, Abdullah Mason, Shakur Stevenson, or Raymond Muratalla. These individuals possess a combination of skill, talent, and, in some cases, power that would likely overwhelm Inoue.
According to the Source boxingnews24.com