Naoya Inoue is a Japanese professional boxer who is a four-division world champion and currently holds the unified super bantamweight world title, encompassing both the WBC and WBO super bantamweight titles since July 25, 2023. He was the former undisputed bantamweight world champion, holding the WBA (Super), IBF, and Ring magazine titles from 2019 to January 2023, and the WBC and WBO titles from 2022 to January 2023. Additionally, he previously held the WBA (Regular) bantamweight title from 2018 to 2019, the WBO junior-bantamweight title from 2014 to 2018, and the WBC light-flyweight title in 2014. As of 2023, he is ranked as the world's best active boxer, pound for pound, by the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board (TBRB) and second by The Ring, the Boxing Writers Association of America, and ESPN, while he is the fourth-ranked boxer by BoxRec. Inoue also holds the top position as the best bantamweight by The Ring, TBRB, ESPN, and BoxRec. He is the sole Japanese fighter in history to reach the #1 pound-for-pound ranking by The Ring. In his professional record, he boasts 25 wins out of 25 fights with an undefeated streak, achieving 22 victories by knockout, and the remaining 3 by decision, showcasing his exceptional boxing skill and prowess. He is nicknamed as "The Monster" for his impeccable timing, speed, punching power, and body-punching ability, leading to an impressive knockout ratio of 92%.
Naoya Inoue is a professional boxer. He is a four-division world champion, and currently the unified super bantamweight world titleholder. He has an undefeated record of 25 wins, 22 by knockout, and 3 by decision. As of 2023, he is ranked as the world's best active boxer pound-for-pound by TBRB and holds the top position as the best bantamweight by The Ring, TBRB, ESPN, and BoxRec. He is the only Japanese fighter to reach the #1 pound-for-pound ranking by The Ring.
Naoya Inoue, whose real name is Inoue Naoya, was born on 10th April 1993 in Zama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Kantō, Honshu, Japan. As of 2023, he celebrated his 33rd birthday, and his zodiac sign is Aries. He holds Japanese nationality and belongs to the Japanese-Asian ethnicity. He is the son of his parents, Shingo Inoue and Miho Inoue, and has two siblings: a younger brother, Takuma Inoue, who is a professional boxer and former holder of the WBC interim bantamweight title from 2018 to 2019, and a sister named Haruka Inoue.
Naoya Inoue's journey in boxing started with notable achievements in the amateur circuit. In 2009, he emerged victorious in the Japanese Interscholastic Athletic Meeting and the Japanese Junior National Championships. The following year, he secured a bronze medal in the Asian Youth Championships and triumphed in the Japanese Junior Selection Tournament. In 2010, he participated in the AIBA Youth World Championships, although he suffered a defeat in the third preliminary round. Notably, he showcased his skills in the 21st President's Cup in 2011, where he clinched the gold medal in Jakarta, Indonesia. Inoue continued to excel with a string of victories in various competitions, but his amateur journey ended with a record of 75 wins, including 48 KOs and RSCs, and six losses.
Inoue began his professional boxing career in 2012, signing with Ohashi Boxing Gym. With a commitment to face tough opponents, he secured his debut victory with a fourth-round knockout against Filipino national champion Crison Omayao. In subsequent fights, he continued his winning streak, defeating top-ranked opponents like Ngaoprajan Chuwatana and Yūki Sano. In August 2013, he claimed the Japanese light flyweight title by dominating and defeating Ryoichi Taguchi. In December of the same year, he won the vacant OPBF light flyweight title with a fifth-round TKO against Jerson Mancio. Impressively, Inoue became the WBC light flyweight champion in only his sixth professional bout by stopping Adrián Hernández. He defended the title against Samartlek Kokietgym, showcasing his exceptional skills with a dominant performance, eventually stopping his opponent in the 11th round.
After vacating his light flyweight title, Naoya Inoue challenged WBO junior bantamweight champion Omar Andrés Narváez in December 2014. In a dominant display, Inoue knocked Narváez out in the second round, capturing his second world title. He defended his title against David Carmona and Warlito Parrenas, both resulting in TKO victories. In May 2016, Inoue faced Petchbarngborn Kokietgym, whom he counted out in the 10th round. His fourth defense was against Kohei Kono, whom he stopped in the sixth round. Despite seeking a unification bout against Román González, Inoue's fifth defense came against Ricardo Rodríguez, whom he comfortably defeated with a third-round stoppage. After successfully defending his WBO title against Ricardo Rodríguez, Naoya Inoue faced Antonio Nieves in September 2017. Inoue's sixth defense was a dominant performance, as he hammered Nieves, who ultimately retired after the sixth round. In December 2017, Inoue fought Yan Boyeaux, dropping him four times before securing a victory in the third round and retaining his WBO title for the seventh time. Inoue expressed plans to move up to bantamweight and aim for a three-weight world champion status in the future.
After defeating Jamie McDonnell in a dominant TKO victory, he participated in the World Boxing Super Series bantamweight tournament, facing Juan Carlo Payano in the quarter-final and winning with a first-round knockout. In the semi-final, Inoue faced Emmanuel Rodríguez and secured another knockout victory in the second round, dropping Rodríguez three times before the fight was stopped. Inoue advanced to the final, where he would face Nonito Donaire for the tournament title and The Ring Magazine's vacant bantamweight title. He then faced Nonito Donaire in a thrilling World Boxing Super Series final, winning by unanimous decision and earning The Ring magazine Fight of the Year. He then defeated Jason Moloney and Michael Dasmariñas via knockout, solidifying his status as the bantamweight division's champion. In his latest defense, he defeated Aran Dipaen by technical knockout, being named the 2021 "Fighter of the Year" by the Japanese Boxing Commission. Inoue expressed his desire to become the first undisputed champion in the bantamweight division, eyeing potential future bouts with other world champions.
On June 7, 2022, he defended his unified bantamweight titles in a title unification rematch against WBC champion Nonito Donaire at the Saitama Super Arena in Japan. Inoue emerged as the favorite and won the fight by a second-round technical knockout, once again proving his dominance over Donaire. He became Japan's first-ever three-belt titleholder in boxing history and was briefly ranked as the number one pound-for-pound boxer by The Ring. Following this victory, Inoue expressed his desire to fight the WBO champion Paul Butler in his pursuit of becoming the undisputed champion. On December 13, 2022, Inoue faced Butler in a title unification bout and secured another impressive victory, winning by an eleventh-round technical knockout. He announced his intention to move up to super bantamweight after achieving undisputed world champion status and became the first-ever Japanese boxer to hold undisputed championship status in the three- or four-belt era, as well as the first boxer in history to defeat all four major sanctioning organization champions by knockout. Inoue subsequently vacated all five titles on January 13, 2023, as he moved up to the super bantamweight division.
On January 18, 2023, negotiations were revealed for Naoya Inoue to face unified super bantamweight world champion, Stephen Fulton. The fight was initially set to take place at the Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan, on May 7, 2023, and was scheduled to be broadcast by Lemino domestically and ESPN+ in the United States. However, the bout was postponed on March 21, due to Inoue suffering a fist injury during training camp. It was later rescheduled for July 25, 2023, at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. In the fight, Inoue secured a victory by an eighth-round technical knockout, knocking Fulton down with a left hook and forcing the referee to stop the contest after a flurry of unanswered punches. He out-landed Fulton in total punches and power punches, becoming only the second Japanese fighter to win major titles in four weight classes, following Kazuto Ioka. When it comes to his records, he has an impressive professional boxing record, with 25 fights and 25 wins, boasting an undefeated streak with no losses. Out of these victories, 22 have come by way of knockout, showcasing his devastating punching power, while the remaining 3 wins have been achieved through decision, highlighting his skill and ability to outbox his opponents.
Naoya Inoue, the renowned professional boxer from Japan, has established himself as one of the sport's most prominent figures. As of 2023, his estimated net worth stands at $5 million, with an annual income of approximately $1 million. Since making his debut in 2012, Inoue has dominated the boxing world and is widely regarded as one of the best fighters globally. His last fight with Paul Butler earned him a guaranteed fight purse of $1 million, with a total purse payout of $2.5 million. Currently, he commands $1.5 million per fight, and his earnings are expected to increase further in the future. In addition to his boxing success, Inoue has lucrative endorsement deals with companies such as SIXPAD and Winning Japan. While he maintains a lavish lifestyle, details about his other brand endorsements, luxurious cars, and properties remain undisclosed. Inoue's achievements in the ring and financial success reflect his status as a top-tier athlete in the boxing world.
Naoya Inoue is a married man and he does have a pretty wife. Naoya reportedly tied the knot with his high school sweetheart in December 2015. Despite his public presence, little is known about Naoya Inoue's wife, as he has chosen not to discuss her in interviews or on social media platforms. This decision to keep his wife's identity hidden suggests her preference for privacy and a desire to avoid media attention. The couple has been blessed with two children - a son born in 2017 and a daughter born in 2019 - and they are leading content and happy family life.
Naoya Inoue is a cool boxer known for his athletic build and exceptional fighting abilities. Standing at 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) and weighing 55 kg (121 lbs), he possesses a toned physique that complements his fighting style. Inoue has dark brown hair, which is slightly overgrown and side-parted, paired with a clean-shaven look. His intense dark brown eyes exude focus and determination in the ring. With a reach of 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm), he has the ability to deliver powerful and accurate punches to his opponents, making him a formidable force in the boxing world. He maintains his body a lot by doing frequent exercise.
Nicknamed "The Monster," Naoya has earned his fearsome reputation in the world of boxing due to his exceptional timing, blazing speed, devastating punching power, and remarkable ability to target the body. With an impressive knockout ratio of 92%, Inoue's aggressive and skillful style inside the ring has made him a force to be reckoned with.
Naoya Inoue, the renowned Japanese professional boxer, had an interesting start in sports. In his early years, when he was in Kindergarten, Inoue actually played soccer. Little did anyone know at that time that he would eventually become one of the most talented and dominant fighters in the world of boxing. Inoue's journey from kicking a soccer ball as a youngster to becoming a world-class boxer showcases his determination, skill, and commitment to his craft, making him a formidable force in the boxing ring.
As of 2023, he holds the prestigious title of being ranked as the world's best active boxer, pound for pound, according to the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board (TBRB). Additionally, he holds high rankings by other reputable sources, including second place by The Ring, the Boxing Writers Association of America, and ESPN, as well as a fourth place by BoxRec. Within his weight class, he is also recognized as the best bantamweight by The Ring, TBRB, ESPN, and BoxRec. Notably, he stands as the only Japanese fighter in history to achieve the esteemed #1 pound-for-pound ranking by The Ring.
Naoya Inoue, like many Japanese people, does not adhere to any specific religion. In Japan, a significant portion of the population identifies as non-religious or follows a mix of cultural traditions rather than a particular faith. As a prominent Japanese athlete, Inoue's stance on religion reflects the diverse and secular nature of his country, where people often prioritize cultural customs and values over formal religious practices. Despite not having a specific religious affiliation, Inoue's dedication to his sport and his accomplishments in the boxing world has made him a celebrated figure, transcending religious boundaries and garnering respect and admiration from fans around the globe.
Naoya Inoue, the boxing sensation, shares a passion for watching movies of any genre. He takes delight in exploring diverse cinematic experiences, from action-packed thrillers to heartwarming dramas. Although he enjoys a wide range of films, his all-time favorite is Disney's "Aladdin," a beloved animated classic that holds a special place in his heart. Inoue's love for movies allows him to unwind and find inspiration beyond the boxing ring, further adding to his multifaceted personality and interests outside of sports.