A special kind of "Monster"
By Katareena Carysse Roska
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 03 Dec 2021
LOS ANGELES -- For boxers in the bantamweight division, getting a ring date with WBA and IBF champion Naoya Inoue has become a magnificent obsession.
The 5-foot-5 Japanese is a certified box-office draw that facilitates huge paydays for whoever challenges him and his belts. He is one of the sports' best, pound-for-pound.
The undefeated 29-year old Inoue, still blossoming in his prime, is a murderous puncher who is on a mission to unify the 115-pound realm.
So what makes him super special?
The most unique aspect about Inoue’s approach to the sport are his body shots, punches directed to the core of the opponent.
I don’t feel the need to go into detail about the type of agony that these blows can inflict upon a person, but if a professional boxer can’t take Inoue’s hits, I doubt anyone can.
Most knockouts are achieved through a head shot. It’s the cinematic punch that gets recognized the most for its flashiness and its obvious display of a landslide win.
Inoue however, doesn’t get his name for being common.
His fights have a certain formula to them. They have a wow factor that is replicated perfectly almost every time Inoue steps into the ring.
And it’s because of his lethal body shots.
Inoue does not waste a hit. Every step and every punch is utilized fully.
Inoue, who fights orthodox, goes in for a punch to the liver. For Inoue fans, that’s how they know it’s over. It’s quite literally gut-wrenching. The audience can feel the pain along with Inoue’s opponent.
Inoue plants a wicked body shot at Donaire during their WBSS championship fight in Saitama, Japan in November, 2019.
For a brief and very fleeting moment, you think his opponent is fine. They are stunned, like a deer in headlights.
But in the blink of an eye, Inoue’s hits are finally processed by its victim. It is a delayed reaction, false hope to the other corner of the ring. They are down on the floor before the clock ticks a second further, writhing in pain and digesting the entirety of the calculated brutality that had just occurred.
Naoya Inoue stands unfazed, his back towards the just fallen, fully aware of the damage he has just dished out with flawless ease. While other fighters may choose to mock the recently defeated, Inoue lets his actions speak louder than mindless taunts and playground insults, screaming victory to anyone watching.
The moniker “Monster” is not enough to encapsulate Naoya Inoue’s merciless record.
21 wins. 18 of them knockouts.
Naoya Inoue is the One Punch Man in living, breathing flesh.
Ed's Note: The author takes boxing lessons at Freddie Roach's Wildcard Gym in Los Angeles.
The author poses with legendary trainer Freddie Roach at the Wildcard Gym in Los Angeles.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Katareena Carysse Roska.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Jacamos fights for vacant WBC Youth World junior fly in South Africa on May 23
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 May 2026Lastimosa to fight for vacant PBF Youth light fly crown
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 May 2026USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Adds Seven Wins on Day Four at 2026 Copa America
Fri, 22 May 2026Bohat fights for PBF Silver bantamweight crown
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 21 May 2026AGM Bernardino to hold chess simul in San Manuel, Tarlac
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 21 May 2026JONES VS. GUALTIERI FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE
Thu, 21 May 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: From Madrid to Johannesburg – The Legacy of the WBC in South Africa
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Thu, 21 May 2026TYSON VS. MAYWEATHER EXHIBITION IS ON— TYSON BROKEN HAND PUSHES EVENT FROM SPRING TO FALL OF 2026
Thu, 21 May 2026Three Lions Promotions Building pro boxing back to Glory days in Metro Vancouver
Thu, 21 May 2026Jenn Perella shines, Bobby Laing stops Russ Kimber in 1st round
Thu, 21 May 2026TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Gustavo Trujillo Looks to Continue his Rise in the Heavyweight Division
Thu, 21 May 2026Filipino Francisco "Django" Bustamante rules 2026 Buffalo’s Pro Classic 1 Ball One Pocket Division
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 21 May 2026USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Secures Eight More Victories on Day Three of 2026 Copa America
Thu, 21 May 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 19 MAY 2026: Davis Outpoints Albright; Kuse Dethrones Jerusalem; Donovan Defeats Chukhadzhian; Hrgovic Stops Allen
By Eric Armit, Wed, 20 May 20262026 NBA Playoffs: Knicks Rally from 22 Points Down to Beat Cavs 115-104 in OT
By Reylan Loberternos, Wed, 20 May 2026