Naoya Inoue

Awards & Honours

Awards Won

Honours

Rankings

Records

Naoya Inoue's career is defined by historic achievements that place him among boxing's elite. He is the first Japanese boxer ever ranked number one pound-for-pound by The Ring, a feat he achieved in June 2022. In 2023, he swept Fighter of the Year honors from The Ring, BWAA, and ESPN, a rare trifecta. His undisputed championship victories in two weight classes place him in an exclusive club with Terence Crawford and Oleksandr Usyk. In May 2026, Inoue became the first and only boxer to be simultaneously recognized as the top pound-for-pound fighter by all four major rankings: The Ring, ESPN, TBRB, and BoxRec. This undisputed pound-for-pound status is a historic first that cements his legacy as one of the greatest fighters of this generation.

AwardsInoue won Fighter of the Year in 2023 from The Ring, the Boxing Writers Association of America, and ESPN. He also won the World Boxing Super Series bantamweight tournament in 2019. As an amateur, he earned a bronze medal at the Asian Youth Championships in 2010 and a gold medal at the President's Cup in 2011.

Honours & Distinctions

First Japanese boxer ranked No. 1 pound-for-pound by The Ring

The Ring·2022

In June 2022, Inoue became the first Japanese boxer to be ranked No. 1 pound-for-pound by The Ring magazine.

First undisputed bantamweight champion in four-belt era

Boxing·2022

Inoue became the first undisputed bantamweight champion since Enrique Pinder in 1972, and the first in the four-belt era.

First undisputed super bantamweight champion in history

Boxing·2023

Inoue became the first boxer to hold all four major titles at super bantamweight.

First and only undisputed pound-for-pound No. 1 in history

ESPN, The Ring, TBRB, BoxRec·2026

In May 2026, Inoue became the first boxer to be simultaneously ranked No. 1 pound-for-pound by all four major ranking bodies.

Rankings & Lists

Pound-for-pound No. 1

The Ring·2022

Pound-for-pound No. 1

ESPN·2026

Pound-for-pound No. 1

TBRB·2026

Pound-for-pound No. 1

BoxRec·2026

Records & Feats

First and only undisputed pound-for-pound No. 1 in history

Historic First·2026

In May 2026, Inoue became the first boxer to be simultaneously ranked No. 1 pound-for-pound by ESPN, The Ring, TBRB, and BoxRec.

First undisputed super bantamweight champion in history

Historic First·2023

Inoue became the first boxer to hold all four major world titles at super bantamweight.

First undisputed bantamweight champion in four-belt era

Historic First·2022

Inoue became the first undisputed bantamweight champion since 1972 and the first in the four-belt era.

First Japanese boxer ranked No. 1 pound-for-pound by The Ring

Historic First·2022

In June 2022, Inoue became the first Japanese boxer to top The Ring's pound-for-pound rankings.