‘Monster’ Naoya Inoue (18-0, 16 KOs) reveals GOAT ambition and vows to put on a career-best performance against Nonito ‘The Filipino Flash’ Donaire (40-5, 26 KOs) in Thursday’s WBSS Bantamweight Ali Trophy final at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.

“A year ago this tournament started, a year later I am in the final against Nonito Donaire, and I am very grateful for that,” said 26-year-old Inoue at a jam-packed final press conference in Tokyo.

The IBF and Ring Magazine champion at 118 pounds told him he grew up being a fan of his Filipino counterpart.

“I’ve been watching Nonito’s fights even before I became professional, and he’s one of the fighters who I admire. I am truly proud of myself to be in the ring with him the day after tomorrow."

inoue-donaire_4

The Muhammad Ali Trophy was on display on a plinth just on the right side of the Japanese superstar at the top table.

“It’s a beautiful trophy, I like the design,” said ‘The Monster’ about the ‘Greatest Prize in Boxing’ named after ‘The Greatest of All Time’. As if he was inspired by WBSS’s virtual ambassador he went on to say:

inoue-donaire (3)

“The winner of this tournament will be crowned as the greatest of the division. I am representing Japan as a professional boxer and I will show the greatest performance of my career as an answer to all the exceptions here.

“The appeal of the WBSS is that we can decide who is the best in the division. I would like to be victorious, but I’m not stopping there. In the future, I want to be the greatest of all time!”

oubaali-inoue

Said 36-year-old Nonito Donaire, the WBC Diamond and WBA ‘Super’ World Bantamweight champion, who has held multiple world championships in four weight classes:

“Naoya is the top fighter in the world pound-for-pound which is very exciting for me. But I trust in my ability, and I will be able to adapt to the situation.

“Fighting Naoya Inoue has given me motivation. I’ve accomplished so much, so I needed someone to motivate me. It’s brought back my youth again because I have to be at my best.

nonito-donaire_4

“Being in this tournament has been tremendous. All these young guys trying to prove themselves and weed out the old generation. But so far, I’ve proven I’m a wall that needs to be climbed, and it’s not an easy wall to climb.”

naoya-inoue_5

Said Kalle Sauerland, Chief Boxing Officer of the WBSS: “Two weeks ago we witnessed what was potentially the Fight of the Year (WBSS 140-pound final – Josh Taylor MD 12 Regis Prograis) at The O2 in London, and this Thursday we have another fascinating final. Donaire,  the old lion protecting his lair vs Inoue, the pound-for-pound king at the moment.”

nordine-oubaali_3