Despite Fight Ban, Luis Nery vs Naoya Inoue Agreed For May In Tokyo

Super bantamweight star Naoya Inoue (26-0, 23 KOs) is riding the victory train after his tenth-round TKO against Marlon Tapales (37-4, 19 KOs) on December 26, 2023, which, in turn, made him the first and only undisputed super bantamweight world champion. And now, merely days after receiving the undisputed crown, it looks like he’s all set to defend his title. It was reported that Inoue and Luis Nery (34-1, 26 KOs) have agreed to a deal for a fight in Tokyo in May.

It is worth mentioning that Nery received an indefinite suspension from the Japan Boxing Commission in March 2018. This was because ‘Pantera’ was five pounds over the weight for his WBC-mandated rematch against Shinsuke Yamanaka (27-2-2, 19 KOs). Moreover, he was stripped of his WBC title before the fight for failing to lose weight despite losing two pounds.

“In boxing, a professional sport where weight limits are regulated, this action has caused severely impairing social credibility. And weighing over limit at a world title match, especially 2.3 Kg. over the limit, is an extreme violation and requires an extreme punishment,” JBC said in a statement.

Nery was already in trouble with the JBC after his first fight against Yamanaka in 2017. A few days after the fight, it was reported that he had tested positive for a banned substance called Zilpaterol. While his team claimed it was due to food contamination, a second test cemented the report. This even prompted The Ring Magazine to strip him of his title and reinstate Yamanaka as the champion.

While the ban is active, sources say that the officials have assured that Nery will be reinstated before the fight.

Fans are hyped up for Naoya Inoue vs. Luis Nery

The fight announcement has undoubtedly left boxing aficionados at the edge of their seats. Many fans wasted no time in taking to social media and picking sides.

While fans are in support of the upcoming matchup, the location for the fight has caused a buzz. Moreover, fans expressed concern over the ban and questioned if it would become an impediment to the fight.

Joshua Ben Joseph

Joshua Ben Joseph is a Boxing writer renowned for his unparalleled coverage of live events and insightful interviews with prominent athletes in the world of combat sports. With a career spanning over several years, he has authored more than 800 articles. As an experienced editorial cartoonist and investigative journalist, Joshua has a keen eye for detail and a passion for delivering quality content. Aside from his writing, Joshua is an avid powerlifter and solo traveler, embodying the same spirit of determination and exploration that he brings to his work. With a deep love for the sport of boxing that dates back to childhood, he is committed to delivering the highest quality content and helping to build a more transparent and credible industry.

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