Arum Confident Ahead of Inoue’s Showdown, but Wary of Nery’s Threat
Veteran promoter Bob Arum is feeling nervous ahead of Naoya Inoue’s highly anticipated showdown against Luis Nery at the iconic Tokyo Dome. Thirty-four years ago, the venue witnessed a major upset when James “Buster” Douglas toppled the then-unbeaten heavyweight juggernaut Mike Tyson, but Arum insists that this historical parallel holds no bearing on the upcoming bout.
“That has absolutely nothing to do with the outcome of the fight,” Arum stated. “I’m nervous because Nery is a good banger, he’s a Mexican and they come to fight, so anything can happen.”
The promoter was quick to dispel any notion of a “bad omen” for Inoue, emphasizing that he does not indulge in such conjecture.
Arum also addressed the speculation surrounding Inoue’s future weight class aspirations, urging caution and a measured approach.
“One step at a time,” he said, noting that the undefeated “Monster” will remain at 122 pounds for the rest of the year. Any potential moves up in weight, he added, will be decided by Inoue and his management team.
The four-weight world champion, who has unified titles in two divisions, is 26-0 with 23 knockouts and is widely expected to deliver another dominant performance on Monday night. Arum is not hesitant in expressing what makes Inoue such a special talent in the sport.
“He’s special because he’s a very, very good boxer, but he is the most devastating puncher that we’ve ever seen as far as fighters in this lightweight division,” Arum said. “With Inoue, he leaves no doubt because how can there be a doubt of an outcome of a fight when his opponent is counted out. That makes him extraordinarily exciting.”
Arum, who has been involved in boxing since the 1960s and has promoted some of the sport’s greatest names, believes Inoue is already among the top five fighters he has ever worked with, alongside legends like Muhammad Ali, Marvin Hagler, and Manny Pacquiao.
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