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 Eternal Contender: Inside Nonito Donaire’s Record-Breaking Title Run
By Dong Secuya, Mon, 11 May 2026Boxing trio reunited up there
By Joaquin Henson, Mon, 11 May 20261st CK Ingles Chess Kings Set to Kick Off
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 11 May 2026Zhu Outguns "The Assassin" Ian Abne in Cebu Thriller, Earns Shot at IBF Champ Taduran
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 10 May 2026Arañas Survives Harsh Knockdown, Stops Noynay to Claim WBF Strap in Cebu (Fist of Fury X Results)
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 10 May 2026Mindoro faces strong Mexican opponent
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 10 May 2026Blood, Grit, and Iron: Zhu Outlasts Abne in a Cebu War
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 10 May 2026Tickets ON SALE NOW for Abdullah Mason-Joe Cordina at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center
Sat, 09 May 2026IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia bags gold in ASEAN E-Sports chess qualifying round
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 09 May 2026Wardley vs Dubois: Heavyweight Tussle in Manchester
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 09 May 2026Fireworks Expected as Cebu's Arañas and Noynay Rumble for WBF Silver Belt
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 09 May 2026Keyshawn Davis: "Nahir Albright’s Going To Be the Fourth Guy I Stop in a Row!"
Sat, 09 May 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Cinco De Mayo, A Historic Celebration Of Boxing
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Fri, 08 May 2026Abne, Zhu Make Weight for IBF Eliminator in Cebu; Winner Fights Taduran
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 08 May 2026IBA presents stacked fight card for May 21 event in Mexico City
Fri, 08 May 2026