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Home > Match Information > ‘Monster’ Inoue says he will not let his challenger take a point in Dec. 14 title defense

‘Monster’ Inoue says he will not let his challenger take a point in Dec. 14 title defense

Dec 08, 2021 16:27 pm

World Boxing Association’s ‘’super’’ and International Boxing Federation’s bantamweight champion Naoya ‘’Monster’’ Inoue of Ohashi Boxing Gym said in an interview on Dec. 7 after his training at the gym he is determined not to let his challenger Aran Dipaen of Thai take even a point in his defense of the titles on Dec. 14 at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Arena,
The following is the question-and-answer exchange.

Question: You are not supposed to meet your challenger Aran Dipaen until the previous day of the fight (Dec. 13). What do you think?
Answer: This will be the first time for me to attend the signing ceremony on the day of the weigh-ins. I have a kind of a strange feeling because I have never experienced that kind of procedure. But, normally, I recover quickly after my weigh-in.

Q: There is only one week until the fight. Any comments?
A: My condition so far has been good. Since I fought in the United States in my last two fights, get myself into good physical condition in Japan is convenient.

Q: Are you staying at a hotel?
A: Yes. It is business as usual.

Q: From when have you been staying at the hotel?
A: A month ago.

Q: Do you have a chance to meet your family?
A: Yes, about once a week.

Q: Does seeing your family improve your motivation?
A: Yes. But since I have been staying focused on my fight, I hope to see my family with just us after winning the fight.

Q: Your condition exercise is more important. Is that right?
A: Yes, I should not lose my genuine self when things surrounding me are good. I mean, I should not get carried away with a general mood of ‘’easy fight’’ for me. I always make it a rule to have a complete decision victory without giving my opponent a point. If chances are high, I hope I can deck my opponent. That’s my way of thinking about a fight. So, no matter who my opponent is, I don’t want to change my modus operandi.

Q: From when have you had that kind of attitude?
A: From long time ago. Rather than thinking about the quality of my opponent per se, I think I can beat my opponent if I can clime through the ropes with 120% condition. My condition comes first no matter how strong my opponent is. That’s more important than studying my opponent.

Q: What about this time? Have you studied your opponent?
A: I did not study my opponent not every time. Even my fight with (Nonito) Donaire (of the Philippines in November 2019), I did not do serious study.

Q: After the bell has sounded for a given fight? Is that right?
A: Yes. That is the most important thing.

Q: What about your condition now for the upcoming fight?
A: Yes. I am already in a good condition. I plan to keep my condition until the fight time by keeping myself together in the next one week.

Q: They say your fight this time is easy. It is a walkover for you. Any comment?
A: Yes. I heat that kind of opinions. But to my way of thinking, the most important thing is how I take that fight no matter who my opponent is. I will clime through the ropes hoping my fans can get what they have wanted. Also, there are fans who will watch the fight via pay-per-view. I will fight in Japan for the first time in two years backed by those fans.

Q: Other world championship fights normally held at the end of the year have been cancelled or postponed due to COVID-19 worries. The focus of attention on your fight has inevitably increased all the more. What do you think?
A: I have no sense of responsibility about that. All I have to do is to fight on Dec. 14, which was set way before. People who were looking forward to watching the other year-end world title matches may think these fights have disappeared and have to shift their focus of attention on my fight as the last world title fight of the year. That has nothing to do with me. I will do my fight as planned. That’s all.

Q: There are respective title defenses involving World Boxing Council bantamweight champion Donaire and World Boxing Organization bantamweight kingpin John Riel Casimero of the Philippines on Dec. 12 (Japan time). What do you think?
A: Of course, I am interested in them. Since there will be no training on Dec. 12, I hope to watch the Donaire’s fight live.

Q: How much more weight do you have to reduce?
A: Less than 4kg (8.82 lb). I am doing fine.

Q: Could you make any comments about a plan to make the fight venue all white?
A: If it is realized, it’s like you are in another world. Never before has this kind of attempt been done in boxing. I am also looking forward to that. If you can give a helping hand to our effort, we will appreciate it very much. That is, the scene I can see from the ring will be completely different from the one before. Also, that (white) scene will motivate me as well. True there will also be black colors (like someone from the team Inoue wears), I really hope fans can come wearing white clothes. We plan to sell white-colored T-shirts at the fight venue.

Q: The tickets of your fight have been sold out. What do you think?
A: I really appreciate very much although we cannot drop out guard. Despite that, if fans come to watch the event, we will really appreciate that. If they can enjoy our event on Dec. 14, and I can come through with my bout with victory, I can wind up this year best in my life.

Q: Your opponent Dipaen was able to enter Japan at the eleventh hour.
A: I heaved a sign of relief. But we still have to go through PCR tests.
Photo by Ohashi Boxing Gym

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