Angelo Leo made the most of his trip to Osaka, defending his IBF featherweight title with a majority decision win over Tomoki Kameda and now he’s targeting an even bigger name: Japan’s own Naoya “The Monster” Inoue.
Inoue, the reigning undisputed super bantamweight champion, has hinted at a move to featherweight as making 122 pounds becomes increasingly difficult. Leo, 31, believes his performance on Japanese soil may have caught Inoue’s eye. “Me being a featherweight champion is already an attention in itself,” Leo said. “I could fight him next year… I think I have the style to beat him.”
Inoue recently hit the canvas against Ramon Cardenas before roaring back to win by stoppage in the eighth round. It was the second straight fight in which Inoue had been dropped by a left hook, with Luis Nery also flooring him before falling in six. Leo sees a pattern - and an opportunity. “He’s susceptible to that left hook. I’d say just watch out—keep that hand up,” Leo warned.
Leo’s own left hook is no joke. He won his title with a stunning KO of Luis Alberto Lopez, and though he’s planning a vacation back to Japan later this year, he’s already thinking ahead to a showdown that could rock the featherweight division. If Inoue moves up, Leo wants to be the first to welcome him and test his chin once again.
Image Credit: DAZN