World Boxing Association ‘’super’’ and International Boxing Federation bantamweight champion Naoya ‘’Monster’’ Inoue, who successfully defended his titles in Las Vegas Nevada of the United States last autumn, and two others were nominated to take the Most Valuable Player award for 2020, the Japan Boxing Commission and the boxing session of Tokyo Sports Writers Club said on Jan. 19.

If Inoue, who knocked out challenger Jason Moloney of Australia on Oct. 31 (Nov. 1 Japan time) is selected, he will get the sport’s most prestigious prize for the third straight year.

The other two nominees for the award are World Boxing Organization super flyweight champion Kazuto Ioka, who retained his title by stopping previously undefeated Kosei Tanaka, who had held world titles in three different weight categories, on New Year’s Eve, and undefeated Junto Nakatani, who demolished top-ranked Giemel Magramo of the Philippines for the vacant WBO flyweight title on Nov. 6, becoming the only Japanese to win a world title last year.

The official announcement is scheduled for Jan. 28 as the technique, knockout, outstanding performance and other meritorious awards are also expected to be announced on that day.