Matchroom CEO Eddie Hearn has called for Naoya Inoue to be removed from pound-for-pound rankings. The promoter claims the four-weight world champion's resume is weak and he's dodging mandatory challengers.
Hearn shared his thoughts in an interview with iFL TV. He didn't hold back when comparing Inoue's situation to other top fighters.
"Why should Naoya Inoue get a pass to fight low-level opponents and duck his mandatory not once, not twice, but three times?"
The Matchroom boss pointed out that if Anthony Joshua had avoided Oleksandr Usyk, he would have faced harsh criticism. He went on to describe Inoue's resume as "pretty s**t", only acknowledging a good performance against Stephen Fulton.
Hearn believes Inoue is letting fans down as a champion. He's especially frustrated that Inoue seems to be avoiding Murodjon Akhmadaliev, a former unified belt holder who's rebuilt his career under Hearn with two recent stoppage wins.
"You are disappointing Naoya Inoue, you are not the fighter I thought you were. Fight fans need to wake up. This is not a pound-for-pound resume. Naoya Inoue – it's time for him to be taken out the pound-for-pound list."
Hearn claims Inoue has been ordered twice to fight Akhmadaliev but paid money both times to avoid the matchup.
Despite Hearn's criticism, Inoue's achievements are significant. He's the undisputed super bantamweight champion and a former undisputed bantamweight champion. His list of wins includes names like TJ Doheny, Luis Nery, Marlon Tapales, and Nonito Donaire.
Inoue's most recent fight was a knockout win over late stand-in Ye Joan-Kim. His next opponent is likely to be David Picasso, the WBC's No.1 contender, rather than Nick Ball or the fight with Akhmadaliev that Hearn is pushing for.
Inoue currently sits near the top of most pound-for-pound lists, often just behind Oleksandr Usyk. The Ukrainian has cemented his place by becoming undisputed in two weight divisions and twice beating Tyson Fury despite a size disadvantage.
