World Boxing Association super and International Boxing Federation bantamweight champion Naoya ‘’Monster’’ Inoue has been in a training camp in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, to assist his younger brother Takuma’s training in preparation for his challenge to Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation bantamweight ruler Keita Kurihara for the latter’s title on next Jan. 14 at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall.

Naoya, who successfully defended his titles on Oct. 31 in Last Vegas, Nevada, has been giving support to former World Boxing Council bantamweight interim champion Takuma chiefly to strengthen his lower body during the camp which started on Nov. 29 and will last through Dec. 3. Both belong to Ohashi Boxing Gym in Yokohama.

The upcoming bout with Kurihara will be Takuma’s first bout since losing to WBC bantamweight champion Nordine Oubaali of France in November last year in the title unification match. Takuma has a 13-1 win-loss record with three knockouts.

The 24-year-old Takuma is currently ranked fifth by the WBC and sixth by the WBO while the 27-year-old Kurihara of Tokyo’s Ichiriki Boxing Gym is ranked fourth by the International Boxing Federation and has a record of 15 wins, including 13 KOs, against five defeats.  Photo by Ohashi Boxing Gym