“Inoue Fires Back: Japan Is the New Home of Lightweight Boxing!”
In the realm of boxing, the battle extends beyond the ring, with fighters vying for dominance not only through their physical prowess but also through their star power and global recognition. And in the ongoing saga of Gervonta Davis vs. Naoya Inoue, Mayweather Promotions’ CEO, Leonard Ellerbe, has entered the fray with a cheeky response defending Abdul Wahid’s star power.
It all began with a statement from former professional boxer Shawn Porter, who suggested that for Inoue, known as the “Monster,” to maximize his stardom, he needs to fight an American in America. Ellerbe echoed this sentiment, highlighting Inoue’s immense popularity in Japan but noting his relative obscurity outside of the diehard boxing fan base in the US. This sparked a debate among fans about who holds greater star power, leading Ellerbe to settle the score with a witty response.
Responding to a user’s comment questioning Davis’ star power outside of the boxing fan base, Ellerbe remained unyielding in his defense of the young fighter. He pointed to Davis’ numerous successful shows and the substantial revenue generated by his fights, including the blockbuster showdown against Ryan Garcia, as evidence of his star status. Despite Davis’ rising popularity and recognition as the new face of boxing, the debate rages on.
Ellerbe wrote on X, “The young man is [definitely] a rock star in Japan, and he’s generating enormous revenue, but outside of the diehards, he’s relatively unknown in the U.S.”
Meanwhile, Inoue, the undisputed champion in the Super Bantamweight and Bantamweight divisions, has his own fight on the horizon. Set to face off against Mexico’s Luis Nery in a highly anticipated matchup at the Tokyo Dome, Inoue responded to Porter’s suggestion with a declaration of his own. In a tweet, he asserted that Japan is now the home of the lightweight division, inviting fans to witness the action firsthand.
Ellerbe wrote, “That’s your opinion but it’s ok. You would know you [have] done countless shows, and I know you have all the metrics to back what you said.”
With tensions running high and the debate over star power reaching a fever pitch, both Davis and Inoue remain steadfast in their pursuit of greatness. Whether it’s in the ring or in the court of public opinion, these two titans of boxing are locked in a battle for supremacy that shows no signs of slowing down.
“The home of the lightweight division is now here in Japan. If you want to see the game, come to Japan.” He further expressed his thoughts on fighting in America. “If there is something better than what is available in the Japanese market in America, I would be happy to go. That’s all worth it here in Japan,” wrote Inoue.
