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Angelo Leo keen on reigniting Mexico-Japan rivalry with Naoya Inoue
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Angelo Leo keen on reigniting Mexico-Japan rivalry with Naoya Inoue
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May 14, 2025
Hans Themistode
May 14, 2025
1 min read
Kameda is No. 1 on his radar. He doesn’t have the highest profile, but Leo is set to travel to Japan to defend his IBF featherweight title against him on May 24.
With one eye on Tomoki Kameda and another on Naoya Inoue, Angelo Leo is multi-tasking at the highest level.
Kameda is No. 1 on his radar. He doesn’t have the highest profile, but Leo is set to travel to Japan to defend his IBF featherweight title against him on May 24.
Whenever he decides to be a road warrior, after he accomplishes his goal, Leo (25-1, 12 KOs) usually packs his bags and heads home. As long as he wins, however, the 30-year-old might decide to stick around.
Japan is a beautiful country. So Leo is interested in doing a bit of sightseeing. He's also hoping that he’ll run into Inoue.
“I want that fight. I’ve always wanted it,” said an amped-up Leo to reporter Sean Zittel. “I’ve always wanted it.”
Crossing paths with Inoue (30-0, 27 KOs) in Japan isn’t likely. The 122-pound undisputed champion is mobbed everywhere he goes and likes to stay out of the public eye.
The Ring’s No. 2 pound-for-pounder has a thing for thievery. He’s spent most of his time climbing through the divisions and pilfering titles. The super bantamweight division is almost out of viable contenders, but he does have a handful of contenders to face before he makes the move.
Leo has a stoic personality. He appears apathetic over his impending arrival. As long as Inoue invades his weight class, a showdown would be inevitable the way Leo sees it. It isn't because of the world title he holds, but more due to the underlined rivalry the two countries share.
“Mexico and Japan both breed great fighters," Leo said. "Japan is recently having their golden age of boxing and Mexico has always had great years. It’s safe to say that it’s a rivalry.”
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