Former two-weight world champion Luis Nery of Mexico arrived in Japan on Apr. 21 to challenge undisputed world super bantamweight champion Naoya ‘’The Monster’’ Inoue of Ohashi Boxing Gym for the latter’s titles on May 6 at Tokyo Dome.

  The 29-year-old Nery, accompanied by his wife, three daughters and other persons concerned, arrived at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport amid numerous reporters at the airport.

  It will be the first time for Nery to have a fight in Japan in about six years and two months.

In August 2017, Nery stopped then World Boxing Council bantamweight champion Shinsuke Yamanaka of Teiken Boxing Gym to become the champion, although Nery later tested positive for a banned substance. The WBC then ordered their rematch.

  Japan Boxing Commission issued a shutdown order to Nery when he failed to make the bantamweight limit in his rematch with Yamanaka in March 2018. Though Nery beat Yamanaka in the fight, the title was left vacant. Nery then fought mainly in the United States and became the WBC world super bantamweight champion in September 2020.

  Although Nery lost the title in his title unification fight with World Boxing Association champion Brandon Figueroa of the U.S. in May 2021, he came back and won in his last four bouts, three by KO.

  In February this year, JBC approved the license to fight in Japan for the WBC’s top-ranked super bantamweight Nery, which had been banned after his second fight with Yamanaka. It paved the way for Nery to fight with Inoue at the dome.

  Asked about his condition, the 29-year-old Nery said, ‘’I came to Japan earlier than usual so that I can get over my jet lag and get used to the (Japanese) weather.

  Nery said he has no weight-making problems, adding, ‘’I have been training myself hard for the last five months. True Naoya is a talented boxer with speed and power. But I don’t think he is the No. 1 in the pound for pound rank.’’ Inoue is currently ranked second in the Ring magazine’s PFP rankings.

  ‘’But if mass communications consider Inoue to be the No. 1, I would be happy that way because I can fight with the No. 1 boxer. Though I respect him, I am not afraid of him. Rather, I am determined to knock him out,’’ Nery added.

  The left-handed Nery has a record of 35 wins, including 27 KOs, against a loss. The 31-year-old Inoue has 26 straight wins, 23 by KO.