Notebook: Inoue lays out long range plans post big win vs. Fulton
Zhang-Joyce undercard includes Yarde's return; Estrada, Yudica set for battle; Quick hits; Show and tell
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After Japanese star Naoya Inoue’s shockingly one-sided eighth-round destruction of Stephen Fulton to take his WBC/WBO junior featherweight titles on Tuesday before a sold-out crowd of about 12,000 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, many looked to appoint “The Monster” as boxing’s pound-for-pound No. 1 even with Errol Spence Jr. and Terence Crawford set to meet for the undisputed welterweight title on Saturday.
Whatever happens in that fight, Inoue plans on sticking around at junior featherweight for the foreseeable future to continue making his case as his team named names on what they think the future holds over the next few fights, including an eventual move to featherweight.
First up, is a likely fight with IBF/WBA junior featherweight titlist Marlon Tapales to unify for the four belts and produce an undisputed champion. Tapales was ringside on Tuesday and joined Inoue in the ring for a handshake, a fist bump and an interview after the fight.
Contrary to the fight being eyed for November, which was what was reported on the ESPN+ broadcast, it is ticketed for December, according to Inoue co-promoter Top Rank.
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