On Tuesday Naoya Inoue became the ninth fighter to unify all four major titles in the era of four championship belts. Now Inoue wants to be the only male fighter to accomplish this feat in two weight divisions.
“I will strive for this,” Inoue promised. “To do this, we need to develop a thorough plan.”
The Japanese is ready to move up to 122 pounds after knocking out Britain's Paul Butler in the eleventh round to unify the IBF, WBO, WBA and WBC bantamweight titles. Inoue plans to return to the ring in April or May next year.
The world titles at 122 pounds are held by two undefeated fighters, Murodjon Akhmadaliyev from Uzbekistan and Stephen Fulton from the USA, with each boxer holding two belts.
The super bantamweight title would make Inoue a champion in four different weight divisions and the second Japanese to do so after Kazuto Yoki in 2019.
Inoue turns 30 in April, and he's not going to stop at 122 pounds.
"I can get to featherweight," Inoue said.
The championship in five weight divisions would be in line with the achievements of Nonito Donaire, whom Inoue highly respects, and, ironically, scored two impressive victories over him.
