World Boxing Association super and International Boxing Federation bantamweight champion Naoya ‘’Monster’’ Inoue, now in Las Vegas, NV to defend his titles against top-ranked World Boxing Organization bantamweight Jason Moloney of Australia here on Oct. 31 (Nov. 1 Japan time), trained at the Top Rank Gym under the watchful eyes of most of Ohashi Boxing Gym team members on Oct. 23, according to Ohashi gym officials.

Inoue said, ‘’Now that all of my team members at the gym in Yokohama, southwest of Tokyo, are here, the atmosphere of the gym in Yokohama is being created here. They are playing their respective roles. I therefore got keyed up in a good sense.’’

Hideyuki Ohashi, head of the gym, and four other team members arrived in Las Vegas a few days later than the Inoue family members and were allowed to enter the Top Rank Gym on Oct. 23 as Ohashi and the rest of them all tested negative in the polymerase chain reaction or PCR tests.

Ohashi, who watched Inoue’s move for the first time in several days, said, ‘’I am relieved because he has kept his very good condition in Japan. Especially, his knee strength and flexibility were almost perfect when he was punching a mitt and hitting a punching bag.’’

Inoue, 27, is undefeated in his 19 bouts, including 16 knockouts, while Moloney has a 21-1 win-loss record with 18 KOs.

The 29-year-old Aussie, who is currently ranked second by the WBA and fourth by the IBF, has been in Las Vegas since Oct. 2 to better prepare for his biggest battle in his career.

The scheduled 12-rounder will take place at the MGM Grand Conference Center behind closed doors due to concerns about COVID-19.　Photo by Ohashi Boxing Gym