NAOYA INOUE LACES-UP FOR CHARITY, GEARS UP TOWARDS DASMARINAS NEXT

By Anil Kumar

Japanese Bantamweight Naoya Inoue gears up for an upcoming charitable exhibition event alongside notable comrades: Hiroto Kyoguchi, Sho kimura and Takashi Inoue.

With the impact of COVID-19, Japan has seen several setbacks in its pursuit of hosting a global sporting event, namely with the postponement of the Tokyo Olympic-Paralympic games.

This further intensified when In late December, Japan issued a provisional ban over the entry of non-resident foreigners upon the discovery of a new strand of the virus, Forcing prime minister Yoshihide Suga on Tuesday, February 2nd to extend the state of emergency until March 7th.

As a result of this, the year 2020 will go down into our history journals for the sudden halt it had put on sporting seasons worldwide, rather than one to reminisce for spectacular sporting moments.

With a global war in hand against an invincible foe, Men and women clad in PPE’s (Personal Protective Equipment) serving as the first layer of defense for mankind, deserve much accolade – as much as an armored soldier would. They serve for the sustenance of humanity in these unprecedented times.

Naoya Inoue, Takashi Uchiyama, Hiroto Kyoguchi and Sho Kimura alongside other notable Japanese combat sport stars will come together on Feb 11th to raise money for medical workers in a charity fight card, extending their heartfelt gratitude towards the many hardworking medical professionals serving as front liners in the pandemic we are presently faced with.

Contenders of the “LEGEND” exhibition tournament In an event billed as “LEGEND”, Thus far only six matchups have been confirmed, each contested over three rounds; spanning three minutes each (3×3) and the matchups are as follows:

1) 3-division world champion, Akira Yaegashi VS WBA light-flyweight champion Hiroto Kyuguchi2) Super featherweight star Takashi “KO Dynamite” Uchiyama VS Kosuke Saka.3) Former flyweight champ Sho Kimura VS K-1 veteran Yoshiki Takae.4) IBF-ranked super lightweight Andy Hiraoka VS Daisuke Narimatsu of team Japan.5) Former super welterweight title challenger Takeshi Inoue VS Olympian Yuito Moriwaki.6) Welterweight Jin Sasaki VS Seon Okazawa.Nicknamed “THE MONSTER.”

It will be interesting to see who unbeaten Naoya Inoue faces in this exhibition. It’s been almost 90 days since Inoue stepped into the squared circle, coupled with his last 2 appearances in the ring fans are eager to see him back in action.

The organizers have since stated that The WBA and IBF bantamweight champions opponent to be announced later this week.But one important question which remains unanswered is, when will the Japanese Boxing Commissions 2020 fighter of the year and one of boxing current top P4P greats step into the ring for a professional contest again?

According to Inoues Co-promoter Bob Arum, Chairman of Top Rank Inc: Fans may expect to see a return in April, either in Japan or Las Vegas.Naoya Inoue is expected to face his IBF mandatory challenger : Filipino, Michael Dasmarinas. But the problem remains an obstacle.

According to Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum “All terms are agreed to. The problem is: foreigners can’t go to Japan. Honda has all these fights, for Inoue, for Ryota Murata, and he can’t do them.

”NAOYA INOUES VS IBF MANDATORY CHALLENGER, MICHAEL DASMARINAS”

The uncertainty this pandemic brings, serves as a stumbling block in scheduling Inoues next fight and ironically, it’s all happening when he is at the peak of his career.

Everyone seems to be under immense pressure fused with the frustration of not being able to see one of boxing best in action.

With Japans travel ban coming no-where to light, Arum might be forced to seek a venue on foreign soil. Las vegas to be a likely rendezvous.Meanwhile, Filipino southpaw challenger Michael Dasmarinas is on fire as he ramps up his training regime for a once in a lifetime opportunity to face Naoya Inoue. Nicknamed “HOT & SPICY.”

In a recent Instagram post, the Bicolano captioned this in his video: I am coming for my belt, Start the year right! Non-stop training! My Hot and Spicy hook.

The Writer, ANIL KUMAR ALAGU- Is an international boxing ring announcer/ commentator and analyst.