Inoue vs Nery Fight Week

Boxing luminary Naoya Inoue is set to etch his name in history as the first Japanese athlete in over fifty years to defend an undisputed championship, when he faces off against Luis Nery at the iconic Tokyo Dome on May 6. Inoue (26-0, 23 KOs), having previously unified the bantamweight division, promptly ascended to the super bantamweight ranks, solidifying his reputation as a dominant force in the sport.

Inoue will fight Nery May 6th

Not since the era of Koichi Wajima, who held the super welterweight crown in the 1970s, has a Japanese pugilist defended an undisputed title with such tenacity and skill.

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Luis Nery (36-1, 27 KOs) emerges as perhaps the most formidable challenge for Naoya Inoue at 122 pounds. This Mexican southpaw boasts a two-weight world champion status and has consistently faced top-tier opposition throughout his career. His thrilling victory over Azat Hovhannisyan in February 2023 was honored as The Ring Magazine's Fight of the Year.

The Sporting News presents insights into the odds and a detailed forecast for this potentially explosive showdown in Japan.

Naoya Inoue vs. Luis Nery Speculations

According to BetMGM, Inoue is the overwhelming -1000 favorite, while Nery stands as the +600 underdog. The prospect of a draw is priced at +2500.

Naoya Inoue vs. Luis Nery Prediction

Both fighters possess elite-level power and a disdain for going the distance, making a prolonged bout unlikely.

Inoue, arguably the pound-for-pound hardest puncher in the sport today with an impressive 88% knockout rate, packs dynamite in every strike, whether from a distance or in close quarters.

Nery, boasting a 77% knockout rate, may lack Inoue's single-shot knockout power but compensates with relentless aggression and deadly combinations. His streak of 11 consecutive knockouts from 2016 to 2019 underscores his capability.

In Inoue's ascent through weight classes, he has demonstrated slightly prolonged fights compared to his earlier divisions but ultimately delivers knockout blows. Notably, in 2023, he dispatched Stephen Fulton (TKO 8) and Marlon Tapales (KO 11) to fully unify the super bantamweight division.

Nery's sole professional loss, in 2021 to Brandon Figueroa, indicates vulnerability against physically larger opponents lacking Inoue's sheer knockout potency. This doesn't bode well for Nery, who may struggle to see the midway point against Inoue, a relentless finisher in the ring.