World Boxing Association super and International Boxing Federation bantamweight champion Naoya ‘’Monster’’ Inoue, who will defend his titles against top-ranked World Boxing Organization bantamweight Jason Moloney of Australia at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV on Oct. 31 (Nov. 1 Japan time), said in an interview with a Japanese satellite television station that he is happy he can have a fight at long last.

Inoue told WOWOW of Wowow Inc., which will televise the bout live on the morning of Nov. 1 in Japan, said, ‘’I don’t have a strong interest in a championship belt itself, and it was inevitable my opponent has changed (from the initially-planned WBO champion John Riel Casimero of the Philippines in a three-belt title unification fight in April to Moloney). It occurred with reason (COVID-19). Also, Moloney is a well-qualified boxer.

Inoue, 27, is undefeated in his 19 bouts, including 16 knockouts. The 29-year-old Moloney has a 21-1 win-loss record with 18 KOs. He is currently ranked third by the WBA and 4th by the IBF.

Question: Since the planned bout (with Casimero) in April was postponed, and your dream of unifying the titles of the four sanctioning bodies was put off. Any comment?

Answer: Considering the current circumstances, my interest in unifying all the four titles has somewhat subsided. What interests me now is to have a fight with an opponent with whom I am satisfied.

Q: It will be almost one year since you last fought as you won the final of the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) by decisioning Nonito Donaire (the Philippines/U.S.) last Nov. 7, we imagine you have had a hard time maintaining motivation. Isn’t that right?

A: I have kept up motivation since my planned bout in April was postponed. I have always prepared for the bout, which was a way to maintain motivation. I think I can be in excellent physical shape if I can maintain 70 to 80 percent of my best physical shape.

What’s important is how to maintain myself mentally. True it will be my first match in almost one year. However, this time the situation is completely different from the similar one-year absence I experienced to heal the wound I sustained after I captured the WBO super flyweight crown from Omar Narvaez of Argentina in 2014.

Also, since I suffered an injury in the Donaire match, I would have some apprehension if my fight was in April, the long absence from the ring dissipated that anxiety.

Q: Do you think the global evaluation of you has been elevated by winning the WBSS?

A: Although I feel my performance assessment has improved by winning the WBSS, I don’t think my bout with Donaire was what I wanted in quality terms. In that sense, I am afraid I was not able to live up to my fans’ expectations. But despite my conditions (an orbital fracture, laceration and nose bleeding), I was able to go the 12-round distance for victory, and that build my confidence.

Q: The coming fight will take place in Las Vegas, popularly known as the mecca of boxing. How do you feel?

A: If I can fight in Las Vegas, that means fans are expecting my knockout victory.

Q: What are you planning to convey us through the upcoming fight?

A: I hope I can show vigor and enthusiasm (to people who watch the bout). In my bout last time I had to go the distance. I think people were satisfied to a certain degree since my opponent was Donaire. But this time around, I don’t want to go the distance considering the quality of my opponent.

Q: The upcoming match will be your first appearance in Las Vegas and also your first bout without spectators. Both will be your first experience.

A: My last fight with Donaire was held with some 20,000 spectators. But the coming bout will be held behind closed doors. What a difference! I am determined to be extremely careful.

Q: Do you feel ill at ease in this respect?

A: Physically, I have no problems. I have a bit of concern mentally. I have to be segregated for two weeks upon my arrival at Las Vegas (due to matters surrounding COVID-19 ).

Q: You met Moloney at a meeting for the WBSS in Russia, didn’t you? Just before your fight with Emmanuel Rodriguez of Puerto Rico in May 2019.

A: At that time, I didn’t know anything about Moloney. He wanted to take a picture with me, and We took it. He posted it on his twitter.

Q: What kind of impression did you get at that time?

A: He looked like an ordinary gentle person. He also posted a picture he took with Donaire on his twitter. His height was almost the same as that of Donaire. But he looked not that tall when he fought with Rodriguez because he was fighting in a half-crouching position (Moloney dropped a split decision loss. Inoue knocked out Rodriguez in the WBSS semifinals in May 2019)

Q: Moloney is saying, ‘’Inoue is overestimated. I have nothing to be afraid of. I will expose Inoue’s true identity.’’

A: All of my opponents in the past said similar things about me. I don’t think he is worthy of that comment.

Q: Then, what are some of the things you have to be careful about Moloney?

A: Honestly, I don’t think he has things I have to be careful about. Unlike Casimero, who has a one punch knockout power, Moloney does not look like that dangerous. To put it the other way around, I think he is a little bity tricky type. He hits passably, is technically sound and can take a punch. He has enough stamina to fight for 12 rounds and is a kind of boxer his opponent finds it difficult to deal with.

If I stick to winning a fight, I think I can achieve a decision win. But I want a knockout victory no matter how hard it is. Since I will fight in Las Vegas, I don’t want to show a boring fight. My motto is to achieve a complete knockout victory. That’s the bottom line.

Q: Looks like you are keeping a watchful eye on him, Is that right?

A: To put it better way. I have to work on my issue. That is, if I can prepare for the fight 120 percent, I can assure you that I will have no problem knocking him out, and I will try to achieve that.

Q: What is the 20 percent above 100 percent?

A: I can prepare for the fight 100 percent myself. But the remaining 20 percent is luck. In boxing this business of luck plays an important part. I will try hard to get hold of that luck.

Q: Since a knockout victory is your target, around what round do you have in mind, around the early, or latter round?

A: Considering Moloney’s fighting style, I will have to knock him out in the early or by the middle round at the latest. If the fight goes into the latter part, I may have to settle for a decision victory.

Q: What punch will be a crucial punch?

A: I am in the midst of exploring that. Moloney has a good defense, and I am now checking his punching style from various angles by watching his video. Normally, I consider that kind of stuff while fighting. But this time around, I think I should be better prepared and is checking his styles more so than in my previous bouts. I have to make a breakthrough by myself in this respect.

Q: You look fine in your training (as of the beginning of September) don’t you?

A: Yes. I have been in good condition and have no health problems.

Q: Could you show your enthusiasm for the fight?

A: Since this will be my first fight in almost one year, I will be happy that people who watch my fight will be encouraged to try even harder in their respective lives.