Naoya Inoue Eyes Bigger Fights, Not Mandatory Challengers Next

Naoya Inoue is hoping to get big-name opponents in his next fights, instead of the mandatory challengers.

Inoue’s mandatory challenger is Murodjon “M.J.” Akhmadaliev, but both Bob Arum and the boxer are hoping to secure a fight with TJ Doheny next time out. According to Arum, they think Dohney is a bigger draw than what Akhmadaliev is.

“[Doheny] has become a big, big draw over there, and that matters,” Arum said. “Look at what Luis Nery did as the bad boy [following a positive PED test], helping sell out the Tokyo Dome.”

Although Arum and Inoue want Dohney next, Akhmadaliev’s manager Vadim Kornilov disagrees and thinks Akhmadaliev is the much harder fight.

“I guess another opponent with four losses on [Inoue’s] record makes more sense,” Kornilov responded to BoxingScene by text message Friday. “It’s not about mandatories. It’s about fighting the best. Inoue should be fighting Akhmadaliev and guys like him … as he wants to be remembered as the greatest.”

Ultimately, regardless of what is next for Inoue, Arum knows it will be a big fight.

“If you go in with Inoue, there’s big money on the table,” Arum said.

Nayoa Inoue is 27-0 as a pro and coming off a knockout win over Luis Nery back in May to defend his WBA, WBC, WBO, IBF, and The Ring super bantamweight title. In his career, Inoue holds notable wins over Stephen Fulton, Marlon Tapales, Jason Moloney, Nonito Donaire, and Paul Butler among others.