For fight fans, all roads lead to the Tokyo Dome on 6 May.
In what has been labeled as Japan’s biggest boxing event of all time — bigger than the two Mike Tyson fights in the Japanese capital in 1988 and 1990 — Naoya “Monster” Inoue defends his undisputed world super-bantamweight crown against Mexican Luis “Pantera” Nery.
Three other world title fights, featuring Japanese fighters, are on tap in the slugfest being put up by Teiken Promotions, Ohashi Promotions and Top Rank Inc.
Dubbed simply as Undisputed, the showdown between the two heavy-hitters didn’t fail to put a smile on the face of MP Promotions chief Sean Gibbons, who promotes Nery.
“I like that,” Gibbons told DAILY TRIBUNE when told that the 122-lb duel should have been called “King Kong vs Godzilla.”
Gibbons was in attendance during the official launch in Tokyo last Wednesday as he got reacquainted once again with the titans of Japanese boxing: Akihiko Honda of Teiken and Hideyuki Ohashi of Ohashi Promotions.
It was Honda who played a pivotal role when Tyson fought twice also at the Tokyo Dome.
First time he saw action in Japan, Tyson bludgeoned Tony Tubbs in just two rounds.
His second appearance proved to be unforgettable as 100-1 underdog James “Buster” Douglas knocked out Iron Mike in the tenth round to score one of the greatest upsets in pugilism.
The unbeaten Inoue, who became undisputed champion last December after mauling Filipino lefty Marlon Tapales, is the betting favorite given his skill set, toughness, timing and, most of all, his incredible power.
Nery, however, is no pushover.
Like Inoue, Nery packs dynamite on both fists and used to be the scourge of Japanese boxers.
Whenever an opponent has power, you don’t count him out. Never.
And that’s exactly what will be on Inoue’s mind when he makes the initial defense of the World Boxing Council, World Boxing Association, World Boxing Organization and International Boxing Federation 122-lb straps.
In a snap, anything can happen. One bad move against a power-puncher could mean lights out.
Reached out to Gibbons as he was getting ready to head to the airport to catch a flight to Riyadh.
Gibbons is hoping he could give a Filipino fighter a spot in the undercard.
“I am working on it,” he said.
Regardless of who makes up the undercard fighters, everyone is trooping to the Tokyo Dome to see one guy.
And that guy is no other than Inoue.
If you’re a hardcore boxing fan, you would find a way to be there.
