Though many see it as a formality rather than a fight, Naoya Inoue, a/k/a “The Monster” will put up the WBC, WBA and IBF bantamweight titles against the current WBO bantamweight Paul Butler at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, on Tuesday, December 13 on a historic night for the sport, promoted by Ohashi Promotion and Teiken Promotions in association with Probellum.
“I am under no illusions as to the size of the task that faces me, but I have been going to bed dreaming of becoming the undisputed bantamweight champion of the world,” said Butler via press release. “Inoue is a phenomenal fighter but not one person should be underestimating me, my skills, or my resolve. I am going to Japan to write my name into the history of our sport.”
Butler, was promoted from interim champion to full-fledged champion after John Riel Casimero was stripped of his title. Butler defeated Jonas Sultan to win the interim title in April of this year.
Inoue was last seen picking up a second-round knockout of Nonito Donaire in June of this year, in a rematch of their 2019 fight of the year bout.
