A special program will be broadcast and streamed on WOWOW from 9pm on March 24th, in which Inoue Naoya, the four-organization unified world super bantamweight champion, looks back on his title defense against Kim Ye Jun (South Korea), which he won by knockout in the fourth round on January 24th, with commentary from Inoue himself. Inoue, who has now won all 24 of his world fights (22 by knockout), the most of any Japanese fighter, responded to a representative interview after the recording of the program, and WOWOW announced the details on the 4th.
--There were many twists and turns, such as postponements and changes in the opponent, but were you not shaken?
At that time, I didn't think anything of it. If I could play, I just had to prepare myself for the match. So I just had the feeling that I had to do it, and I wasn't upset.
--Was it postponed after he had started serious weight loss?
It was 10 days before, so some of my weight loss was at an end. I wondered how I would spend the next month and 10 days. It didn't feel long, but it was long when it was over. I let myself eat freely for 10 days.
-- In January, your opponent changed. I'm sure that was quite confusing.
I heard that Kim is a switch hitter, but he fought as a southpaw in his last two matches, so I prepared for southpaw fights. However, I spent less time watching the video and preparing than usual.
Q: What kind of start did you imagine for this match against Kim?
In the first and second rounds, I waited to see what my opponent would do. I wasn't sure if he would come in with a right-handed or left-handed stance, so I went in cautiously.
--You started to apply pressure from around the second round.
I fought thinking that I would land every punch. After the first round, I knew my opponent's strength, and there were some punches I couldn't see through, but he wasn't a particularly hard southpaw to read.
Q: What were your thoughts as you fought in the fourth innings?
My idea was to let my opponent move forward while I was hitting, and then hit when he came.
--The finish was with a straight right.
I always try to land each punch accurately. I think about accuracy rather than power or speed, and how to hit the vital points.
--Although there were some twists and turns, overall it seemed to be moving well.
The 8-week span was helpful. I think I can use it in future big matches. However, there were good things and bad things.
Q: This brings your 24th consecutive win in world fights to 22 KOs. You’re tied for 9th place in world fight wins of all time. Are you conscious of these numbers?
I am aware of it. I think it's an amazing record.
--Next is May.
Yes, next is Las Vegas in May, Japan in September, and Saudi Arabia in December. I plan to do four matches this year, including the Kim match. Then, I hope to have the match that everyone is looking forward to around spring next year. That's the plan.
Q: Regarding the May match, the fight against Alan Picasso (Mexico) has been cancelled and Ramon Cardenas (USA) has been mentioned. Have you checked the video?
I have checked it. I have watched the video. That's it! I'll let you guess the rest (laughs).
--So that means you'll be fighting Murodjon Akhmadaliev (Uzbekistan) in Japan in September?
I guess that's how it will turn out. So, in December I'll move up to the featherweight division and face Nick Ball (UK). My hope is to fight Ball while still holding the four-organization title, but I'm not sure how each organization will decide.
-So you're particular about the four belts?
Looking ahead to next spring's matches, I think it would be better for me to have four belts. To do that, I need to keep defending them.
--There are growing expectations for a match against Nakatani Junto.
This is a fight that Japanese fans are looking forward to. (Nakatani) has improved his skills and I think he is strong. Looking at his fight against David Cuellar (Mexico), he is powerful and beats opponents when he should. I think he is a fighter with very high knockout ability. I hope it will happen next spring, but if that fight doesn't happen, there is another way. I think there will be four fights this year (including the fight against Kim).
Q: Do you have any hope for Nakatani, such as "please collect more belts"?
I acknowledge their abilities, but how many fierce battles have they overcome? I want them to fight opponents that satisfy everyone and get good results. I think it will be exciting if both of them win.
Q: Your next match is in Las Vegas. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the match was played without spectators, and the second match was not held at such a large venue.
I'm looking forward to fighting in Las Vegas, but I wonder if the venue will actually be full. I've heard it's going to be a big venue this time.
--Do you pay attention to maintaining your condition?
That's different from Japan. It's dry, so you have to be careful.
Q: Is it getting harder to lose weight even in the super bantamweight division?
No problem. Right now, super bantamweight is my best weight, so after I fight Ball, I'll go back to super bantamweight.
-What kind of fight do you want to put on in Las Vegas to prove your worth?
If I were to focus too much on that, my boxing style would probably fall apart, so it's not just because it's Las Vegas. If I want to appeal to the world, it's the same as fighting in Japan. If I can have that kind of fight, I think I'll be able to appeal in Las Vegas too.
*The special program "Inoue Naoya Appears! Exciting Match SP "Inoue Naoya vs. Yejun"" will be broadcast and streamed on WOWOW Live and WOWOW On Demand from 9:00 pm on March 24th. Inoue will appear as a special guest, and Joe Koizumi and Nishioka Toshiaki will provide commentary. In addition to the title match between Inoue and Kim, the program will also broadcast and stream the match between OPBF Oriental Pacific and WBO Asia Pacific welterweight champion Sasaki Tsutomu and Sakai Yoshiki.
