Naoya Inoue reveals when he will retire from boxing: ‘I will inevitably decline’
Naoya Inoue admits 2027 could be his final year in professional boxing.
The four-weight world champion has strung together a Hall of Fame-worthy career, which includes undisputed reigns at bantamweight and super bantamweight.
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Inoue is the reigning undisputed super bantamweight championCredit: Top RankBut all good things must come to an end, and at 32 years old, Inoue is realistic about his future at the top of a division where reflexes and speed are paramount.
“I want to close my fighting career when the time is right,” Inoue told Ring Magazine.
“I think I have about three years left, including this year…
“I don’t feel any decline in my physical strength or performance yet, but I’m sure that someday that day will come.
READ MORE ON BOXING “I have to plan my training and fights with that in mind.
“As a human being, I’m sure I will inevitably decline.
“So I think it’s important to prepare and to know myself.”
Inoue hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down just yet.
Even after being dropped by Ramon Cardenas in his last outing earlier this month, Inoue picked himself up off the canvas to dispatch the Texan in the eighth round.
That victory punched his ticket for a WBA mandatory defence against former unified WBA and IBF super bantamweight champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev in September.
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At 32 years old he still looks to be as good as everCredit: Naoki Fukuda/Top Rank
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However, he is aware that Father Time is undefeatedCredit: Naoki FukudaProviding he comes through that fight unscathed, then the much-anticipated all-Japanese showdown with WBC bantamweight champion Junto Nakatani could come next.
The Asian super fight hinges equally on Nakatani overcoming Ryosuke Nishida in a WBC and IBF unification clash on June 8.
Both men have verbally agreed to meet each other for what would undoubtedly be the most commercially successful fight in Japanese boxing history.
Inoue recently suggested that the fight could land in May 2026.
Meanwhile, reports suggest the iconic Tokyo Dome will host the lucrative event.
Inoue has also been linked to a move up to featherweight to face Liverpool’s Nick Ball before his career comes to a close.
