The two phantoms of the lighter-weight divisions, Gervonta Davis and Naoya Inoue might never face each other in the ring. Such a matchup would be a dream come true for many boxing fans. However, the Japanese ‘Monster’ has declined such possibilities yet again. His reason for this refusal lies in a crucial point of debate in boxing circles.

In December last year, Inoue made history by emerging 2x undisputed. It is a feat that only Terence Crawford and Claressa Shields have been able to achieve in the four-belt era. In the wake of such a historic win over Filipino southpaw, Marlon Tapales, fans rallied for the Yokohama-based fighter to compete against his power-punching contemporary in the lightweight division, Gervonta Davis. The proposition was thrashed immediately by Davis. Now, Inoue has concurred with ‘Tank’ on this front, arguing that no matter how lucrative the fight could prove to be, there remains a bigger responsibility he’d rather tend to.

For the 30-year-old fighter, who emerged undisputed in the Bantamweight division in 2022 and Super Bantamweight, last year, his stint in the ring is way beyond lucrative fights and notable wins. He remains loyal to his responsibility toward the sport, which is exactly why his moving beyond featherweight is out of the question, according to him.