(Tokyo) Japanese boxer Naoya Inoue announced on Monday that he would challenge American Stephen Fulton, holder of the WBC and WBO world super-bantamweight belts, in Yokohama in May, for his debut in the category.
Nicknamed “Monster” became the first undisputed world bantamweight champion since 1972, when he beat England’s Paul Butler in December to add the WBO title to his WBC, WBA and IBF belts.
Inoue was previously world champion in the light flyweight and super flyweight categories.
The 29-year-old Japanese, who has a record of 24 wins (21 KOs), relinquished his titles in January to move up to the super bantamweight category.
“All I can do is believe in myself,” Inoue told reporters at a news conference in Tokyo.
At 28, Fulton is also undefeated with 21 successes (8 before the limit). He is one of two current world champions in the super bantamweight category.
Uzbek Murodjon Akhmadaliev holds the WBA and IBF belts.
The American’s last fight was a unanimous decision win over fellow countryman Daniel Roman in June 2022.
He called Inoue a “great fighter” in a recorded video message, but insisted he had “no worries” about facing him in Japan.
“I like to challenge myself, I like the excitement, so why not take on that type of opponent? explained Fulton.