The trainer of World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization super bantamweight champion Stephen Fulton of the United States took issue with top-ranked challenger Naoya ‘’the Monster’’ Inoue’s hand wraps at a Yokohama hotel on July 22 during a press conference for their title fight on July 25 at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena.

  Wahid Raheem said he hopes the fight would be held cleanly, adding safety and security of the fight will be ensured when the gloves are put on.

  Raheem takes a dim view of Inoue’s way of having his hands wrapped before wearing the gloves, citing an old article about Inoue’s alleged ‘’questionable’’ hand wrap article.

  He added the fight should not be conducted with a boxer wearing bulging gloves.

  To this, Inoue responded, ‘’I have had 24 bouts so far openly and squarely. I don’t know what article or articles he read. But I think he seems to be a little bit too sensitive. Please do not worry about that because I am determined to have the fight with the warrant of a good conscience.’’

  Hideyuki Ohashi, head of Ohashi Boxing Gym to which Inoue belongs, also said after the conference, ‘’I myself did not understand what he was talking about.

  They will check each other’s hand wrap activities with the presence of both sides on the fight day.

  Inoue concluded the press meeting by saying, ‘’I am highly motivated since I can face Fulton in my first fight after moving up in weight. Since I think Fulton is the strongest boxer in the super bantamweight, I can prove I will be the strongest boxer in the division if I beat Fulton.

  The 28-year-old Fulton said he will enjoy the fight and will not care about anything but victory.

  The scheduled 12-round title fight was postponed from the initially scheduled May 7 due to Inoue’s fist injuries during training in early March.

  The undefeated Fulton has 21 straight wins, including eight knockouts. The 30-year-old Inoue, who was a former undisputed world bantamweight champion, is also undefeated in his 24 professional bouts, including 21 KOs.