Naoya Inoue vs. Luis Nery undercard: Complete list of fights before main event in 2024 boxing match
Naoya Inoue vs. Luis Nery undercard
The Tokyo Dome will be the setting for a massive undisputed super bantamweight title fight when Naoya Inoue defends his status against Luis Nery on May 6. The 12-round bout, plus undercard action, will air on ESPN+ in the U.S.
Inoue (26-0) is a four-weight world titleholder and a two-division undisputed champion. The Japanese star halted Paul Butler to win undisputed at 118 and knocked out Marlon Tapales to hold all the gold at super bantamweight. He is in rare company, as he is only the second male fighter in the four-belt era to accomplish that feat.
“The Monster” is a mainstay in the mythical pound-for-pound rankings and there are many who view him as the finest fighter in the world today. He's been a world champion for over a decade.
"April 6 is like my birthday, and it's been ten years as I've continued my speedy run," Inoue said via Kyodo News. "I'm getting into amazing physical condition.”
Nery (35-1) was banned from entering Japan after he missed weight for a world title rematch with Shinsuke Yamanaka, who he knocked out in two rounds. That infraction followed a failed drug test before the first fight, which he won via TKO 4.
The former champion is on a four-fight win streak and has 27 wins via knockout. The Japanese Commission elected to lift Nery's ban to give him the biggest opportunity of his career.
The undercard features three major world title fights. Included will be an always-ready Australian star, as well as the brother of Inoue looking to come out from under The Monster's shadow.
Here’s a breakdown of the entire action on the Inoue vs. Nery card.
Naoya Inoue vs. Luis Nery undercard
Jason Moloney vs. Yoshiki Takei
Division/Weight: Bantamweight
Moloney record: 27-2
Takei record: 8-0
Belts at stake: WBO bantamweight title
Jason Moloney defends the WBO bantamweight title against Yoshiki Takei.
Moloney (27-2) lost world title bouts to Emmanuel Rodriguez and Naoya Inoue. However, the Aussie is now on a six-fight win streak and beat Vincent Astrolabio in May 2023 to annex WBO bantamweight gold.
Naoya Inoue vs. Luis Nery undercard
Here’s a breakdown of the entire action on the Inoue vs. Nery card.
Jason Moloney vs. Yoshiki Takei
Division/Weight: Bantamweight
Moloney record: 27-2
Takei record: 8-0
Belts at stake: WBO bantamweight title
Jason Moloney defends the WBO bantamweight title against Yoshiki Takei.
Moloney (27-2) lost world title bouts to Emmanuel Rodriguez and Naoya Inoue. However, the Aussie is now on a six-fight win streak and beat Vincent Astrolabio in May 2023 to annex WBO bantamweight gold.
Takuma Inoue vs. Sho Ishida
Division/Weight: Bantamweight
Inoue record: 19-1
Ishida record: 34-3
Belts at stake: WBA bantamweight title
Another title fight on the card is Takuma Inoue defending the WBA bantamweight championship against Sho Ishida.
The younger brother of Naoya, Takuma (19-1) is on a six-fight win streak. He outlasted Liborio Solis in April 2023 to win the vacant WBA bantamweight championship, a title that "The Monster" previously held.
Ishida (34-3) fought for the WBA super flyweight title in 2017, dropping a decision to Britain's Kal Yafai, He has since gone 10-2 and is on a five-fight win streak.
Seigo Yuri Akui vs. Taku Kuwahara
Division/Weight: Flyweight
Akui record: 19-2-1
Kuwahara record: 13-1
Belts at stake: WBA flyweight title
Finally, Seigo Yuri Akui defends the WBA flyweight title against Taku Kuwahara.
A former association football player, Akui (19-2-1) scored a controversial upset win over Artem Dalakian to lift the WBA flyweight title in January. This will be his maiden title defense.
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Kuwahara (13-1) is on a five-fight win streak, with four of those coming via knockout. He punched his way to top contender status by knocking out Wulan Tuolehazi in July.
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