Undisputed world super bantamweight champion Naoya ‘’the Monster’’ Inoue of Ohashi Boxing Gym told reporters at the gym on Dec. 27 he will stay at super bantamweight for the time being following his knockout victory over Marlon Tapales of the Philippines in the title unification bout on the previous night in Tokyo.

  The 30-year-old Inoue, who added Tapales’ World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation titles to his World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization crowns by knocking out Tapales in the 10^th round at Ariake Arena, said, ‘’I felt it was a very technical fight after watching the fight video twice.’’

  ‘’Tapales aimed at hitting each other, and I could not lose my concentration to the end,’’ Inoue reflected on the fight. ‘’But I am satisfied with the fight. At this fighting weight, I was able to maintain my speed while boosting my power. This is the division in which I can show the strongest Naoya Inoue and will not move up in weight by forcing myself (to featherweight),’’ he continued.

  Talking about his plans for the future, Inoue said, ‘’I want to have three fights next year.’’ In this connection, Inoue mentioned former WBA and IBF super bantamweight champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev of Uzbekistan and former WBC bantamweight and super bantamweight champion Luis Nery of Mexico as his possible opponents.

  The gym’s head Hideyuki Ohashi said, ‘’We will think about it carefully as we are also thinking about a venue with larger capacity. Fighting at Tokyo Dome is one option. By the same token, a fight in Saudi Arabia is another possibility.’’