Does Naoya Inoue need to fight in the US? Pound-for-pound boxing star is unconvinced

For over a decade, pound-for-pound star Naoya Inoue has been kicking a__ and taking names across four weight divisions. The Japanese star has put together an unblemished record of 26-0 (23 KOs) and he's a double undisputed champion. Still, people need something to complain about.

Several ex-fighters, media members and fans believe that if you want to be relevant in this sport, then you must be taking care of business on U.S. soil. While a fighter might be making history in another country, it's just not the same unless their accomplishments are dripping in Las Vegas neon.

WATCH: Naoya Inoue vs. Luis Nery, exclusively on ESPN+

"If Inoue's goal is to be a star in boxing, he has to come to the United States," said former two-time welterweight champion Shawn Porter in an interview with ProBox.

Well, that controversial take seems to have struck a nerve and awoken "The Monster". In a translated response from Inoue's official Twitter (X) account, the Japanese star had this to say:

"In response to the comment saying he should come to America and play a match??? The home of the lightweight division is now here in Japan. If you want to see the game, come to Japan. 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."

The Sporting News takes a look at the differing viewpoints and decides whether or not Inoue is obligated to take his show on the road.

Has Naoya Inoue fought outside of Japan?

The funny thing is that Inoue has already fought three times in the U.S. and once in the U.K., which makes him more well-travelled than all of his American pound-for-pound counterparts.

In September 2017, Inoue appeared on a "SuperFly" card at the StubHub in Carson, California. After pursuing a back-peddling Antonio Nieves for five rounds, "The Monster" devoured the challenger in the sixth to retain his WBO crown.

Three years later, Inoue defended his IBF, WBA and Ring Magazine bantamweight titles against popular Australian Jason Moloney in Las Vegas. The Japanese star was on scintillating form and scored a spectacular seventh-round knockout.

Inoue's most recent appearance in the U.S. was a simple third-round knockout of the overmatched Michael Dasmarinas in June 2021, which also took place in Las Vegas.

Lastly, in the semi-final of the World Boxing Super Series in May 2019, Inoue made his only U.K appearance so far. The pound-for-pound stalwart picked up a pair of bantamweight belts by knocking out the previously unbeaten Emmanuel Rodriguez in two rounds in Glasgow, Scotland.

How much money does Naoya Inoue make in Japan?

According to The Sun, Inoue had a net worth of $7 million as of December 2023.

Reportedly, his purse for July's super bantamweight title fight against Stephen Fulton was $5 million.

Inoue's purse for his forthcoming undisputed championship fight against Luis Nery is unknown. However, Top Rank's Evan Korn stated via Twitter (X) that the gate for this bout is "$20 million plus".

The fight is being held at the 55,000-seat Tokyo Dome.

MORE: SN's Top 12 best pound-for-pound boxers

Does Naoya Inoue need to fight in America?

The short answer is no.

In the mid-1970s, Muhammad Ali was the only U.S.-born world champion in boxing. However, there was still huge desperation for fighters to compete in the U.S. because that's where the money was.

Future Hall of Famers from other countries such as Roberto Duran, Alexis Arguello and Wilfredo Gomez all sought big-money fights on U.S. soil. The one exception to the rule was Argentinian middleweight king Carlos Monzon, who only fought one of 100 professional fights in America.

However, times change. The U.S. undoubtedly remains a colossal force, but Japan and the U.K. are powerful boxing hotbeds. Additionally, Saudi Arabia is financing some of the biggest matchups in the sport today.

Inoue is arguably the best fighter in the world and he’s a pound-for-pound superstar. He made his bones in the country of his birth and he is under no obligation to change a thing.