The purse of World Boxing Association super and International Boxing Federation bantamweight champion Naoya ‘’Monster’’ Inoue’s defense of the titles against top-ranked World Boxing Organization bantamweight Jason Moloney of Australia in Las Vegas, NV of the United States on Oct. 31 (Nov. 1 Japan time) will be 1 million dollars, Hideyuki Ohashi, head of Ohashi Boxing Gym in Yokohama, southwest of Tokyo, said in a press conference held online on Oct. 5.

The quantity of the pursue will be the same as what Top Rank Inc., a boxing promotions company, had shown to the Inoue side when Inoue was to face WBO bantamweight ruler John Riel Casimero of the Philippines in a championship showdown on April 25 in Las Vegas. The fight was first postponed due to the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, pandemic and was eventually called off. Moloney was then picked as a replacement.

Few boxers can earn 1 million dollars in their Las Vegas debut fights, which goes to show Top Rank has high expectations for Inoue, according to boxing sources.

Ohashi said, ‘’I thought a 30 to 50% drop in the amount of the pursue would be inevitable since the fight will be held behind closed doors. But it is amazing the amount will not change under these circumstances. But this is the beginning. If we come through with a victory with a god fight. The pursue would continue to rise to the amount hitherto Japanese boxers cannot believe. It is the beginning of an undreamed-of luxury.’’

Despite the repeated postponement, Inoue did not complain anything about it and has been continuing to concentrate on his training. He has been conducting sparring sessions with his teammates since inviting sparing partners from abroad cannot be done in this day and age of the COVID-19, according to Ohashi.

‘’I think Inoue has been in a perfect condition since his footwork and speed for side step have further improved,’’ Ohashi added.