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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 31: Naoya Inoue celebrates defeating Jason Moloney (not pictured) in their bantamweight title bout at MGM Grand Conference Center on October 31, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 31: Naoya Inoue celebrates defeating Jason Moloney (not pictured) in their bantamweight title bout at MGM Grand Conference Center on October 31, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)
Naoya Inoue etched his name in history, becoming an undisputed champion in a second weight class. His knockout punch against Marlon Tapales was not just a win, but a statement. Meanwhile, Gervonta Davis who has been inactive recently, left audiences gasping with a decisive body shot against Ryan Garcia months ago.
Are they two of the best fighters in the world right now? It’s always debatable, but for Shawn Porter one thing is clear: they are “generational talents”. Is there any other fighter in the same bracket or not?
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Identifying the true tests for generational greatness
Shawn Porter, a name synonymous with keen insight in boxing, recently unveiled his perspective on who stands as the sport’s generational talents. “I just think that he’s a generational fighter,” Porter said, referring to Naoya Inoue’s recent dominance. Inoue’s victory in Tokyo, where he claimed all four super-bantamweight belts, was not just a win but a testament to his exceptional prowess in the ring.
Then, Porter turned his attention to Gervonta Davis. Despite a shift in his fighting style, Davis’s skills remain undisputed. Porter noted, “He has really just kind of moved away from the orthodox speed and movement that he has used over the years and has become more of a ‘I’m gonna wait on that great blow. I’m gonna throw it when the time is right’.” This observation mirrors Davis’s recent victory, where his strategic body shot dramatically concluded his bout against Ryan Garcia.
Furthermore, Porter spotlighted Shakur Stevenson. “Shakur could be moving into becoming a generational fighter,” he remarked. This comment aligns with Stevenson’s trajectory, notably his recent win over Edwin De Los Santos for the WBC lightweight championship. Porter emphasized the necessity of future fights to solidify their statuses, asserting, “They have to fight and then we’ll find out if either of them truly were a generational fighter or was it just the opposition.” This clear, direct endorsement from Porter, coupled with his analytical approach, offers a compelling look into the future of boxing.
While Gervonta Davis has denied a fight with Naoya, Inoue’s promoter named his potential fights.
Naoya Inoue’s 2024 Outlook
In 2024, Naoya Inoue is set for an exciting year with three potential high-profile bouts, as revealed by his promoter Hideyuki Ohashi. In the lineup is Mexican powerhouse Luis Nery, known for his recent technical knockout victory against Froilan Saludar.

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SAITAMA, JAPAN – NOVEMBER 07: Naoya Inoue of Japan reacts in the bout against Nonito Donaire of Philippines during the WBSS Bantamweight Final at Saitama Super Arena on November 07, 2019 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
Also on the radar is Murodjon Akhmadaliev, the formidable Uzbekistani fighter, fresh off an 8th round TKO win over Kevin Gonzalez. Completing this trio of potential adversaries is Filipino boxer John Riel Casimero, who recently drew against Yukinori Oguni. With potential venues being Tokyo Dome in Japan and Saudi Arabia, Inoue’s next fights promise to be pivotal events in the boxing calendar.
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Also Read: Former World Champion Shawn Porter Contemplates How Many Weight Divisions Naoya Inoue Can Move Up
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With the possibility of facing Luis Nery, Murodjon Akhmadaliev, and John Riel Casimero, Inoue is on the cusp of further solidifying his generational talent tag. Who among these formidable opponents will truly test Inoue’s mettle and perhaps even redefine the landscape of boxing?
Watch This Story: Naoya Inoue Net Worth: Five Biggest Fight Purse of His Illustrious Boxing Career
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