If you’ve been waiting to see Naoya Inoue in action again on May 4 in Las Vegas, brace yourself for a change of plans. The unbeaten Mexican contender Alan Picasso has reportedly turned down the fight offer. Many suspect Picasso was advised by Erik Morales to bide his time rather than jump straight into the ring with the unified super bantamweight champion. Either way, "The Monster" now has to hunt for a new foe.
The latest buzz suggests that Ramon Cardenas, Murodjon Akhmadaliev, or Bryan Mercado could fill Picasso's spot. Word has it that Akhmadaliev might get the nod, which would be a serious challenge given his experience and recent war of words with Inoue. Akhmadaliev has claimed Inoue is "ducking" him, so if the Uzbek fighter signs on, he’ll get the chance to back up his words in the ring.
Watch Inoue vs. Joon Kim highlights: Watch
Inoue, at 31, wants to stay especially busy this year, aiming for a total of four fights. He was last seen blasting out Ye Joon Kim in January, and fans have been eager to see "The Monster" roll into the United States once again. A showdown with a name like Akhmadaliev would promise plenty of intensity - possibly even a fight-of-the-year candidate.
So keep your eyes peeled for official news.
Image Credit: Sky Sports