Naoya Inoue’s First 2021 Bout Revealed

Naoya Inoue is set for his next title defense.

Inoue is the WBA (Super), IBF, and The Ring Bantamweight Champion. He last competed back in October, defeating Jason Moloney via seventh-round knockout. The win improved his pro boxing record to 20-0.

Top Rank Boxing’s Bob Arum told Ring Magazine that Inoue’s first bout of 2021 will be against Michael Dasmarinas, who is the mandatory IBF Title challenger. The bout will take place on June 19 in Las Vegas with a venue to be determined.

Arum explained why the bout won’t be happening in Inoue’s home country of Japan.

“The problem in Japan is that if you’re a foreigner and you go in you got to do 14 days quarantine. So, no fighter can go in and do 14 days quarantine and get ready for a fight.”

As for the venue for Inoue vs. Dasmarinas, don’t expect an announcement until fans are allowed in the Las Vegas buildings.

“We are working on it. We won’t announce (the Inoue fight) until everything is cleared for spectators.”

Dasmarinas hasn’t competed since October 2019. He defeated Artid Bamrungauea via TKO. His biggest wins were when he captured the IBO Bantamweight and Super-Flyweight Titles.

Stick with FIGHT SPORTS for the latest updates on Inoue vs. Dasmarinas.