Naoya Inoue is now far more likely to face a fellow pound-for-pound star, but must first take care of business against Junto Nakatani on May 2.

The pair will collide in an all-Japanese clash at the Tokyo Dome, with Inoue making the seventh defence of his undisputed super-bantamweight crown.

But despite entering their showdown as a clear favourite, many believe that three-weight world champion Nakatani represents his toughest test thus far.

Like Inoue, the 28-year-old boasts an unbeaten record and comes off a successful, albeit hard-fought, super-bantamweight debut against Sebastian Hernandez in December.

While the result has been somewhat disputed, Nakatani ultimately claimed a unanimous decision victory on the undercard of Inoue’s one-sided title defence against David Picasso.

But while Nakatani has certainly earned his position at the top table, some would argue that Inoue is likely to encounter his most formidable foe elsewhere.

More specifically, a potential clash with unified super-flyweight champion Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez has been widely discussed as one of boxing’s most mouth-watering matchups.

It was also announced just yesterday that Rodriguez will face WBA bantamweight titlist Antonio Vargas on June 13, bidding to become a three-division world champion.

After that, ‘Bam’ and head coach Robert Garcia may target the Inoue fight at 122lbs, with Garcia having previously outlined his plan in an interview with Xicana Boxing.

“We could get the Inoue fight early next year, or maybe [at] the end of this year. So the fight will happen – I know it is going to happen.

“That’s a fight ‘Bam’ wants, too, but he also understands that we’re going to do our job, building him to get used to the 118 pounders.

“Then he’ll feel better to know that he’s ready for 122[lbs].”

Advertisement

While Inoue represents his most lucrative and legacy-defining option, ‘Bam’ could equally decide to remain at 118lbs or drop back down for an undisputed title opportunity at 115lbs.

Recognised as an all-time great by almost every boxing fan, Manny Pacquiao is undeniably one of the most talented and adored fighters to have graced the sport. When asked to name his own top three greatest fighters, there was a common theme amongst the names selected by the Filipino icon.

Pacquiao remains as boxing’s only eight-division world champion, having first claimed world honours as a flyweight and then repeated the feat as high as super-welterweight during an arduous and ongoing three-decade long career.

At 47-years-old, ‘Pac Man’ is attempting to further enhance his legacy, with plans to break his own world record as the oldest welterweight champion in boxing history, having previously won the title at the record-breaking age of 40 years and 215 days, and held it for two additional years.

Whilst unsuccessful in his challenge for Mario Barrios’ WBC welterweight crown upon his comeback to the sport, Pacquiao had been rumoured for a shot at Rolando Romero’s WBA title, before talks collapsed.

Although, Pacquiao is now preparing for a shock rematch with perennial rival Floyd Mayweather, but there remains some uncertainty surrounding that bout, as to whether it will be an exhibition contest or a fully professional encounter.

Pacquiao continues to build hype for the event and pile pressure on Mayweather to agree to a sanctioned bout and in an interview with Inside The Ring, the beloved veteran refused to name Mayweather amongst his top three fighters of all time.

Instead, Pacquiao picked those who, like himself, were truly loved by fight fans around the globe during their respective careers.

“Excluding me; Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Julio Cesar Chavez.”

It’s no surprise to see the Filipino icon select the legendary trio, with each of Ali, Leonard and Chavez widely regarded as three of the greatest boxers to ever lace up a pair of gloves.

Pacquiao is scheduled to face Mayweather on Saturday, September 19, with further details regarding the fight expected to emerge in the coming weeks.

For 38 consecutive major starts that spanned a decade, Rory McIlroy didn’t win a major. Now, after his back-to-back Masters titles, he has won two in his past five starts.

So, what’s next? Another Irish star is predicting big things.

“Rory could win 10 of them at this stage, or five of them, anyway,” said Padraig Harrington, speaking at Concession Golf Club in Florida on Tuesday ahead of this week’s Senior PGA Championship. “He probably will still be competitive at 50 years of age around that golf course. For him, it was interesting that he won that one with his short game, which makes him even better a player.

“He’s always been a superb chipper, but now it’s with the putting and things like that,” he continued. “A very rounded game and a game that looks like it has a lot of longevity in it. So he’s in a very nice place going forward, particularly at that tournament that you would think. It’s amazing when you win one, that he’s now got two, and we’re thinking that maybe two or three or five would be realistic around that golf course.”

Harrington’s point that McIlroy, who turns 37 next month, could compete at Augusta National past his prime isn’t crazy. Jack Nicklaus famously won at Augusta National at age 46 in 1986. Tiger Woods was 43 when he won in 2019. Even Fred Couples, who plays little golf these days, became the oldest player to make a Masters cut when he made the weekend as a 63-year-old in 2023.

Last week, McIlroy held a six-shot, 36-hole lead at Augusta but lost it all in the third round Saturday. He started Sunday sharing the lead with Cameron Young but fell back after a double-bogey 5 on the par-3 4th hole, but he took control with back-to-back birdies on 12 and 13 and beat Scottie Scheffler by one.

“He showed some real good character there,” Harrington said. “You know, psychology-wise he really won that tournament. His mentality and how he went about things, that’s a very strong showing for him. He obviously still has the physical side of the game, but to show that short game and the mental side of the game means he looks like he would be a very strong force for a while to come in the game.”

While we won’t make our own claims regarding how many more Masters titles McIlroy might win, we will say he has work to do. Nicklaus holds the record with six Masters victories. Woods has five, and Arnold Palmer won four. If McIlroy wins one more, he’ll be the sixth golfer to win three.

Stephen Curry delivered when it mattered most as the Golden State Warriors came from behind to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 126-121 in the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament.

Golden State trailed by 13 points with under 10 minutes remaining, but closed the game on a 16–5 run to keep their season alive.

Curry led the charge, finishing with 35 points and seven three-pointers, including 27 in the second half.

“That’s what you live for right there,” Curry said.

While Curry controlled the offense, Draymond Green anchored the defense, limiting Kawhi Leonard in the closing stages.

Leonard managed just two shots in the fourth quarter before the game slipped away.

“Hall of Fame defender. It was hard to even get shots up,” Leonard said.

Curry’s moment came late when he knocked down a go-ahead three with 50 seconds remaining, falling into the crowd as the shot dropped.

“This is what you work all year for, all summer, offseason,” Curry said. “We’re not guaranteed a (playoff) series yet, but these nights make everything worth it… Considering how our season has gone… for us to play the way we did tonight was special.”

Head coach Steve Kerr also said:

“For one night, we’re us. We’re champions again,” Kerr said. “I don’t care. Just absolutely beautiful to watch.”

After a difficult regular season, the win leaves Golden State one victory away from securing a playoff series.

“I know we’re not satisfied,” Curry added. “We want to go to Phoenix and guarantee a playoff series against OKC. That’s the next goal… The eight guys that got on the floor all had a part in making it happen.”