After TKO of Nonito Donaire, Naoya Inoue is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world

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The person can't be denied anymore.

There's little doubt in my mind that "Monster" is the new pound for pound champ after the loss to Bivol and the second-round knockout of Nonito Donaire.

While the Japanese star sliced his way through three weight divisions, he received little resistance until he faced Donaire. Donaire was no match.

The referee stopped the fight at the end of the second round after the 29-year-old added a third bantamweight title to his collection. There is a lot of separation between Donaire and John Riel Casimero, who was the third boxer.

There isn't anything left for Inoue to prove at 118 pounds, just as there wasn't after he won titles at 112 and 112.

If he can become undisputed champion this year, he would like to stay in this division. If I can't, I'm capable of raising my division.

It looks like he will face his stiffest competition yet when he attempts to conquer the juniorfeatherweight division. Great boxers don't usually get tested until they move up in weight. This is an example of how this can happen.

The 112-pound division has better talent than Inoue has ever seen. The Philadelphian and the Uzbek won the 122 pound title.

Fulton and Akhmadaliev could meet later this year for the undisputed title. Fulton took care of business this past weekend with a decision victory over Daniel Roman, and then he had to defend his two titles against Ronny Rios. A fight for the undisputed title on prime time in the U.S. is a good start for Inoue on his way to becoming a household name in the US.

It's not far-fetched. If Inoue comes up in time, I think it's realistic. I'm not afraid of big fights. A lot of people are interested in seeing me vs. Inoue.

The match up would give Inoue the chance to announce his arrival in the US.

Despite his success and co-promotional deal with Top Rank, Inoue has never fought a top-flight opponent in the U.S. He fought in the Top Rank bubble during the Pandemic which limited his big fight feel.

Jamie McDonnell, a champion, and Juan Carlos Payano, a contender, both won their first two fights. He won another title after defeating Rodriguez in the second round. It's hard to get the attention of most boxing fans when you're fighting early in the morning in the U.S.

The majority of Inoue's lore was built on highlights and videos. He might be the best fighter you've never heard of if you're a casual follower.

With his frightening power and entertaining style, he has a chance to become a star in the US.

For now, his goal is the undisputed championship, and that means a clash with England's Paul Butler, who like the rest, have little hope against the best fighter in the world.