Naoya Inoue v Luis Nery - Tale of the Tape: Weight, height, reach, trainer & professional boxing records

We analyse the credentials and statistics of pound-for-pound star Naoya Inoue and Luis Nery as the two super-bantamweight rivals get set to settle their differences in Tokyo on Monday 6th May.

Next month, a destructive, four-weight king takes on a former two-division world champion, with a penchant for war - Naoya Inoue versus Luis Nery is one hell of a fight

If another matter of intrigue was required, the fight takes place in Japan, where Nery is persona non grata.

‘Pantera’ captured the WBC bantamweight strap, in 2017, by stopping Shinsuke Yamanaka in the fourth round.

Afterwards, the Mexican tested positive for a banned substance, only for the sanctioning body to clear the fighter's name following a prolonged enquiry.

A rematch, seven months later, also ended in controversy. The Mexican weighed in three pounds over the divisional limit before stopping Yamanaka in the second frame, sending the Japanese fighter into retirement.

The actions of ‘Pantera’ earned him a lifetime ban from the Japan Boxing Commission. Subsequenlty, the JBC reversed their decision to allow this bout to take place in Tokyo.

Now, Inoue has the chance to gain revenge for his compatriot while further staking his claim as the best boxer on the planet.

Who will prevail? It's time to take a look at the 'Tale of the Tape'…
 

Naoya Inoue v Luis Nery
Tale of the Tape

	Naoya Inoue	Luis Nery
Odds:	1/12	7/1
Age:	31	29
Nickname:	'Monster'	'Pantera'
Height:	5ft 5ins	5ft 5ins
Reach:	67.5ins	65ins
Weight:	Super-bantamweight	Super-bantamweight
Trainer:	Shingo Inoue	Jorge Capetillo
Record:	26-0 (23 KOs)	35-1 (27 KOs)
Last Fight:	Won - (KO) v Marlon Tapales (December 2023)	Won - (TKO) v Froilan Saludar (July 2023)

Naoya Inoue
In Profile

Much is made of the vaunted punch power of Naoya Inoue, and rightly so, as he has left a trail of destruction across four weight classes, having been a world champion at light-flyweight, super-flyweight, bantamweight and super-bantamweight.

However, to classify the ‘Monster’ as just a banger, does the Japanese fighter a disservice. The 31-year-old possesses as much finesse as he does ferocity. Understandably, much focus is on Inoue’s fists, but his feet are every bit as impressive.

Inoue masterfully cuts off the ring and closes the distance between he and his opponent, while remaining perfectly balanced to let his shots go. These traits have been almost impossible to combat, to date.

Even the crafty veteran, former long-reigning WBO 115lbs champion, Omar Narvaez was unable to find an answer to the puzzles posed by Inoue, as the Argentinian was blown away in two rounds. The fact that Inoue had jumped up two weight classes for the opportunity, makes the achievement all the more remarkable.

The only man who has truly extended the Japanese phenom is, four-weight world champion, Nonito Donaire, when they faced off in the final of the World Boxing Super Series, in 2019. ‘The Filipino Flash’ was able to withstand the punishing blows of Inoue, while coming back with hurtful shots of his own.

The result was captivating as both men produced the fight of the year, with the ‘Monster’ prevailing on the judges’ scorecards.

Two-and-a-half years later, they met once more, but the bout was far more one-sided as Donaire was stopped within six minutes.

In December 2022, Inoue brought his 118lbs reign of terror to and end by halting Paul Butler in the 11th frame to add the Englishman’s WBO belt to the WBC, WBA and IBF straps already in his possession, to become undisputed ruler of the division.

After moving up to super-bantamweight, Inoue became just the second man to become undisputed in two divisions, in the four-belt era. Astonishingly, it took him just two fights and seven months to accomplish the feat.

It could be argued that Inoue has defeated the best 122-pound fighters already, but, if that is the case, Luis Nery is the best available challenger.

While many of Inoue’s opponents have simply looked to survive, the Mexican will stand his ground. If ‘Pantera’ can absorb the power of the ‘Monster,’ we could be in store for a tremendous battle.

Strengths:	Weaknesses:
Balance	Occasionally moves back in straight lines
Power	Can leave his head on centre line when punching
Shot selection
Educated pressure

Luis Nery
In Profile

Luis Nery relishes playing the villain.

He has never once displayed any contrition for missing weight, or testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. Instead, Pantera has opted to call out and disrespect rivals at every opportunity.

The Mexican recently described Inoue as: “ordinary,” and “overrated.” Now, he has the opportunity to prove his theory.

However, it appears that few others agree with Nery’s assessment, as he is currently a 7/1 underdog. Those odds will not bother him one bit, nor will the thousands in attendance hoping, anticipating that he will be brutally stopped.

The wide price available on the Mexican is not a reflection on his talent, but on that of Inoue.

The two-weight world champion is a naturally athletic, explosive southpaw with a good chin, who would give most 122-pound fighters a tough night’s work.

The sole loss of Nery’s career came in a unification bout with Brandon Figueroa, in a barnburner. Both men traded damaging blows, until a body shot caused Nery to wilt.

In February 2023, ‘Pantera’ was involved in another war, this time against Azat Hovhannisyan as they participated in an attritional battle. The fight was gruelling, but Nery danced between rounds and grinned when giving and receiving punishment.

Nery is as masochistic as he is sadistic.

While Inoue lands knockout blows, he does so in the cold manner of contract killer. Nery, on the other hand, cannot hide his joy. He appears to love inflicting pain.

Make no doubt about it, Nery will come to win, he will believe he can land the punch which will upset the odds.

This will be the first time boxing has sold out the Tokyo Dome since James ‘Buster’ Douglas shocked the world by stopping Mike Tyson.

The Mexican will be hoping that history will repeat itself.

Strengths:	Weaknesses:
Jab	Trades blows too often
Applies pressure well	Keeps his hands too low
Foot speed	Susceptible to body shots
Combination punching	Loads up on his punches

All odds displayed within this article were correct at the time of writing and are subject to fluctuation.