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:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 29 JUNE 2026: Paro UD Crocker for IBF Welter Title; Ennis Stops Zayas in 7 for WBA, WBO Welter Titles; Wins by Whittaker, Vargas and Tucker; Valenzuela KO2 De Los Santos
By Eric Armit, Tue, 30 Jun 2026Rising Featherweight Star Jaycob "The Raging Bull" Ramos Signs Exclusive Management Agreement with Boxing VIP
Tue, 30 Jun 2026Clarion to leave on July 2 for WBC Youth title
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 30 Jun 2026Gustavo Trujillo Stays Undefeated with Devastating Seventh-Round Knockout at Fist of Fury 11
Tue, 30 Jun 2026World Boxing Council Unveils Special July 4th Commemorative Belt Honoring USA 250th Anniversary
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 30 Jun 202612-Year-Old Filipina Memory Prodigy Georgina Santos to Represent the Philippines in Two World Memory Championships
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 30 Jun 2026World championship mega-fight between Christian Mbilli and Saul "Canelo" Alvarez postponed to October
Mon, 29 Jun 2026Filipino Jonas Magpantay wins Indonesia; pockets $15,000, gains steam heading to Vietnam
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 29 Jun 2026Ex-kickboxer to debut in MMA Slugfest
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 29 Jun 2026Deaño settles to a draw
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 28 Jun 2026Abdyrakhmanov defeats Kadiev, Kudryashov knocks out Yousefi at IBA Bare Knuckle 5 in Moscow
Sun, 28 Jun 2026WBC declares German Agit Kabayel new WBC heavyweight champion after Usyk relinquishes his title
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 28 Jun 20264th Gov. RST MMA Slugfest on July 3
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 28 Jun 2026Chezka Centeno ready for world 10-ball title defense
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 27 Jun 2026Xander Zayas vs Jaron Ennis: Breakout Moment in Brooklyn
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 27 Jun 2026