Naoya Inoue was a little surprised to get a title shot in his first fight in a new weight class, against someone he describes as the toughest boxer he has ever had to face in his professional career.
But the Japanese phenom, who has been dubbed "Monster," is not daunted by his latest fight and instead sees it as an opportunity to take a significant step toward international stardom.
Inoue, a former WBC light flyweight and WBO super flyweight champion, will attempt to claim his third world title against Britain's Jamie McDonnell on Friday night at Tokyo's Ota-City General Gymnasium.