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Anthony Joshua
- Birthname:
- Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua
- Birthplace:
- London, England
- Height:
- 6 ft 6 in (198 cm)
- Weight:
- 250 pounds
- Championships Held:
- WBO, IBF, and WBA (x2)
- Twitter:
- https://twitter.com/anthonyjoshua
- Instagram:
- https://www.instagram.com/anthonyjoshua/
- Eye Color:
- Brown
- Hair Color:
- Black
- Nationality:
- British
- Stance:
- Orthodox
- Reach:
- 82in (208cm)
Highlights
- Inoue defends title with knockout victory over Nery, makes history with ¥1 billion purse.
- Saudi Arabia keen on Inoue for high-profile event, while fans anticipate showdown at Wembley.
- Joshua teases mystery opponent for London fight, Inoue’s potential presence adds extra excitement.
In a potentially groundbreaking move in boxing, it has been reported that Naoya Inoue, the reigning champion in the super-bantamweight division, may grace the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s anticipated fight at Wembley Stadium in September.
Inoue successfully defended his junior featherweight championship, securing a technical knockout victory over Luis Nery. A capacity crowd of approximately 50,000 fans at the Tokyo Dome witnessed a moment of shock in the first round as Inoue was floored by a powerful left hook for the first time.
However, displaying intense concentration, Inoue, dubbed “the Monster,” retaliated emphatically. He sent his Mexican rival to the canvas in the second and fifth rounds before delivering a decisive blow with a devastating right hook in the sixth, ultimately sealing the match.
Naoya Inoue Earns Huge Purse For Luis Nery Fight
Naoya Inoue continues to rake in millions as his profile continues to rise with each knockout victory.
Turki Alalshikh Wants To Bring Inoue To London
The Japanese Star Has Only Fought A Few Times Outside Of His Home Country
Saudi Arabia’s boxing chief, Turki Alalshikh, is purportedly eager to secure Inoue’s presence for this high-profile event. According to sources cited by Yahoo Japan, Inoue has been extended an offer to feature on the Riyadh Season card, backed by Saudi Arabia, which is scheduled for September and is set to be headlined by British superstar Anthony Joshua.
In what promises to be an electrifying showdown, Inoue is poised to defend his undisputed WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO super-bantamweight titles against IBF mandatory challenger Sam Goodman. The confirmation of this bout came directly from Inoue himself, following his triumphant sixth-round knockout victory over Luis Nery on Monday.
According to TalkSport boxing editor Michael Benson, Naoya Inoue’s manager, Hideyuki Ohashi, announced that Inoue made history as the first Japanese boxer to pocket ¥1 billion (£5m/$6.5m) in a single night from his fight against Luis Nery. Ohashi hinted that this sum could potentially double to ¥2 billion (£10m/$13m) for his upcoming fight if he agrees to an offer from His Excellency Turki Alalshikh.
While Inoue has primarily fought in his native Japan for the past three years, the prospect of competing on such a grand stage as Wembley Stadium represents a significant shift. Despite never having boxed in England before, Inoue’s global appeal continues to soar, bolstered by his rise in the boxing pound-for-pound list.
Anthony Joshua Teases Next Bout, Embraces Mystery Opponent
Anthony Joshua is teasing a quick comeback after a destruction job on Francis Ngannou.
Who Will Anthony Joshua Fight Next?
‘AJ’ Is Looking For The Biggest Fights
The potential inclusion of Inoue on Joshua’s undercard adds an extra layer of excitement to an already highly-anticipated event. Joshua’s opponent for the London spectacle remains unconfirmed, with speculation swirling around contenders emerging from matches such as Deontay Wilder vs. Zhilei Zhang and Filip Hrgovic vs. Daniel Dubois on the upcoming Matchroom vs. Queensberry card on June 1.
In a recent interview with talkSPORT, Joshua shed light on the selection process, emphasizing the importance of delivering compelling matchups that resonate with fans. With eyes set on the ultimate prize of facing Tyson Fury, Joshua remains steadfast in his dedication to maintaining a disciplined approach and overcoming all challengers in his path.
As the boxing world eagerly awaits further developments, the possibility of Naoya Inoue gracing the same stage as Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium adds an enticing dimension to what promises to be a historic event in the sport’s illustrious history.
