Naoya ‘’The Monster’’ Inoue of Ohashi Boxing Gym, the first Japanese boxer to top the pound-for-pound ranking by the prestigious Ring boxing magazine by beating Nonito Donaire of the Philippines on June 10, now had to place second after undefeated heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk of Ukraine as the magazine put second-place Usyk ahead of Inoue following his decision victory over Britain’s Anthony Joshua on Aug. 20 in Saudi Arabia.

While Inoue is said to face World Boxing Organization bantamweight ruler Paul Butler of Britain within this year in an attempt to sweep the titles of the all four major sanctioning bodies, Ohashi gym head Hideyuki Ohashi told reporters on Aug. 25, he has been negotiating with the Butler side on the unification fight since June but is not in a position to announce the matter.’’

According to Ohashi, the 29-year-old Inoue is now engaged in light sparring sessions and physical training.