Boxing
Inoue urged to retire by father after GOAT status secured
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Naoya Inoue can retire as "a legend and at his best" following his victory over Junto Nakatani, says the star's father Shingo.
'The Monster' scored another pound-for-pound triumph this May with his latest undisputed super-bantamweight title defence.
A unanimous decision over fellow future Hall-of-Famer Nakatani at Tokyo Dome marked one of the star's biggest triumphs yet.
But rather than push on beyond four-weight glory, dad and trainer Shingo believes it should be time for his son to call it quits.
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"How many more fights does he need to have?" he told Yahoo! Japan News on the decision. "It’s about time he retires already.
"He can walk away cleanly while he’s still a legend and at his best. He can retire suddenly while still a legend and he’s still great.”
Inoue suggested he would take time to consider his next move after victory over Nakatani, mulling a move to featherweight.
Powerbrokers however are keen for him to face fellow pound-for-pound star Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez, possibly in early 2027.
Should Inoue call time on glittering career?
DAZN News correspondent Andrew Steel
Let it be clear - Naoya Inoue could never step into a boxing ring again and his all-timer status would already be secured.
Save perhaps Manny Pacquiao, no other fighter from the eastern reaches of Asia can compare to 'The Monster' and his record.
His victory over Junto Nakatani - hard-fought, and at points elusive - spoke to his character, his prowess, his intelligence on canvas.
Some of the sport's biggest promoters want that bout with Jesse Rodriguez - but truthfully, Inoue doesn't need to take such a fight.
If he heeds his father's words, the star will walk away on top of the world, firmly on his own terms - and that is a thing to be cherished.
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