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Boxing
Undisputed champion and pound-for-pound star hints at possible retirement in 2027
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Undisputed super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue has hinted that his boxing career may come to an end in 2027.
Inoue has become a must-watch star in boxing, his knockouts have often gone viral and the Japanese fighter has won world titles in four weight divisions along with undisputed title reigns at bantamweight and super bantamweight.
The man known as 'The Monster' provided plenty of thrills in his last fight at the start of May when he beat Ramon Cardenas with a stoppage in round eight.
However, this particular bout at the T-Mobile Arena did cause problems for Inoue who was knocked down in round two. The defending champion did manage to gain control and got a knock down of his own in the seventh before the contest was stopped a round later.
Speaking to The Ring, Inoue spoke candidly about how he is aware that his time inside the ring is coming to an end.
“I want to close my fighting career when the time is right,” Inoue said.
“I think I have about three years left, including this year.
“I don’t feel any decline in my physical strength or performance yet, but I’m sure that someday that day will come.
“I have to plan my training and fights with that in mind. As a human being, I’m sure I will inevitably decline. So I think it’s important to prepare and to know myself.”
Following his win over Cardenas, Inoue's next fight is set for September when he faces former unified super bantamweight champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev in Tokyo.
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