Japan has produced some proper warriors down the years – Fighting Harada scrapping his way to two divisions, Kado with that iron chin, Gushiken’s relentless pressure, Yokota’s slickness.
Absolute legends, every one. But let’s be real:
Naoya Inoue has lapped the lot. Four-weight world champion, undisputed in two of them, and he’s still only 32.
The résumé is stupid – Fulton, Donaire twice, Nery, Tapales, all elite scalps finished inside the distance or dominated so badly they may as well have been.
Why Naoya Inoue Is the Best Boxer From Japan Ever
It’s not just the knockouts, it’s how surgical they are.
One glance, one feint, one bang – lights out. He folds grown men with body shots like they owe him money.
Japanese fighters were always respected for heart and technique.
Inoue brought a terminator to the party.
He’s not fighting for legacy or pay-per-view points – he just wants to separate you from consciousness as efficiently as possible.
The pioneers laid the road.
Inoue built the bullet train on it and left everyone else eating dust. The Monster is the greatest Japan has ever seen – and the gap isn’t even close.
Here was Inoue’s reaction to a well known Japanese kickboxer and boxer’s unbeaten streak in the sweet science coming to an end.
