In 33 fights, nobody has been able to solve the puzzle that Naoya Inoue presents. Does an unbeaten retirement await one of boxing’s modern greats?

The Japanese phenomenon has 27 knockouts and recently beat countryman Junto Nakatani in Tokyo to solidify his position at the top of the pound-for-pound list.

Inoue has laid out the plan for the rest of his campaign in no uncertain terms – stick around at super-bantamweight for one more fight, likely Jesse Rodriguez, before moving up to featherweight in pursuit of belts in a fifth division.

If that is how things play out, there are currently four champions waiting for him: the WBO’s Rafael Espinoza, the WBA’s Brandon Figueroa, the IBF’s Angelo Leo and the WBC’s Bruce Carrington.

Though not the only titlist at 126lbs to call Inoue out, Carrington has been perhaps the most vocal, and has now doubled down on his claim that defeating ‘The Monster’ would not be too tough a night at the office.

Asked by Luis Para if he believes it is a hard matchup, ‘Shu Shu’ was clear in his answer.

“No. I think he actually plays [into] my style. I think he’s a good boxer, very twitchy and things like that, but there are certain things that I know I could use to make him fight my fight.”

Carrington then questioned whether or not Inoue’s knockout power would carry up in weight.

“To be honest, I think it will be tough. Any of the champions will give him a tough fight … I don’t think Inoue’s punching power would show as much with the champions in the featherweight division.”

Carrington won the WBC belt by stopping Carlost Castro at Madison Square Garden back in January. He puts it on the line in a first defence against Rene Palacios in July.

Meanwhile, Inoue will have a close eye on ‘Bam’ Rodriguez’s upcoming move to bantamweight against Antonio Vargas in Phoenix on June 13, with victory for the former likely locking in the Japanese champion’s final fight at 122lbs.

Las Vegas Aces guard Chennedy Carter was much talked about recently after a recent social media post that shaded her role with the team and 2026 No. 1 pick Azzi Fudd.

Less than a day following the Aces’ 95-87 loss to the Dallas Wings on Thursday, Carter criticized Fudd, who arguably had her best game in the WNBA. The Wings rookie scored 22 points on 9-of-15 shooting in her first career start. The veteran guard added that she wanted her “leash” off, which seemed to be a shade in her playing time.

“Not to mention, I made her ankle touch the ground,” Carter wrote on Threads. “But y’all can hollar at me when my leash is off, too. It’s completely unfair, even though statistically, it’s not even close.”

On Saturday, Carter said that she will have a break from social media following the criticism she received.

“30 day ban starting now, bc you drag situations. You’ll learn this app is a free app and fans dont own it!” Carter said.

Several people reacted to Carter’s latest Threads post, with one account saying that she might have been issued a warning by Aces coach Becky Hammon.

“Becky told her to STFU or is she is playing in Mexico soon,” the post said.

“They using u as clickbait, trying to get likes! Can’t wait until u show them! Ur come up, is close! Deals!” another fan wrote.

“This wasn’t even a situation until you said something. You’re a vet but are acting like a rookie maturity wise. You should acknowledge where Azzi had you in the game and use that to help you improve. Talent should recognize talent no matter what experience, stats, age, team, etc. You can stand up for yourself without shading other people,” a fan posted.

Amid the numerous criticisms of Carter, some fans expressed their support for the 5-foot-9 guard.

“Is the ban on fans or on yourself?” one fan replied.

“Girl why Azzi though? Most of her fans were rooting for you, too. You two are both great players who both have had their careers interrupted, but who we still believed in completely. And Lord knows that girl don’t bother nobody. Why Azzi mannn?” another fan said.

“Lil sis. Protect your peace. You’re having a career year and definitely on your way to being 6POY. Leave this social media alone and go get that ring, fam,” a fan commented.

Last month, Las Vegas signed Carter to a training camp contract. According to Spotrac, the deal was worth $277,500 for one year.

Carter has played in all of the Aces’ seven games this season. She is averaging a career-high 19.1 points per game on 64.6% shooting, including 56.3% from 3-point range, 21.9 minutes off the bench. She is the team’s second-leading scorer behind four-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson and the league’s leader in bench points.

WNBA analyst addresses Chennedy Carter’s recent social media posts

WNBA analyst Grant Young of Sports Illustrated chimed in on what he described as a social media outburst by Chennedy Carter. Young doubled down on several of the fan comments that they felt like Carter had turned the corner in her first season with Las Vegas.

“The problem is that these questions had followed Chennedy throughout her career,” Young said. “And it makes it seem like she could not never get out of her own way. That’s why I find this disappointing, especially because for a while, it seems like Chennedy was finally making it that her basketball was the only thing people were talking about.”

Young added that throwing shots at Azzi Fudd was unnecessary, as the rookie had nothing to do with Carter’s role with the Aces. He also said that being frustrated with coaches is a normal occurrence in sports, but there was no need to air it publicly.

Las Vegas has brought back its championship core from last season, and Carter has filled the role of backup guard Dana Evans, who is recovering from a leg injury.