Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis has highlighted one fighter who he believes is “smart enough” to hand Naoya Inoue the first defeat of his illustrious professional career.

‘The Monster’ made a seventh successful defence of his undisputed crown last weekend, unanimously outpointing Junto Nakatani at a sold-out Tokyo Dome.

Their super-bantamweight encounter delivered a high-IQ chess match, with three-weight world champion Nakatani gathering serious momentum between rounds eight and ten.

Inoue, however, responded in the manner of an elite competitor, securing a convincing points victory to remain the top dog at 122lbs.

In search of a new challenge, the 33-year-old could either move up to 126lbs – bidding to become a five-weight world champion – or enhance his remarkable legacy at super-bantamweight.

The plan, it seems, is for him to make at least one further defence of his four major belts, perhaps against unified world super-flyweight champion Jesse Rodriguez.

‘Bam’ has been mooted as a potential opponent since it emerged that both sides have held preliminary talks, involving Turki Alalshikh, for a showdown in January 2027.

Based on several statement performances from Rodriguez, Ennis had told RING CHAMPS with Ak & Barak that such an encounter would be no routine title defence for Inoue.

“I think [he can beat Inoue]. I think he’s smart enough, technically sound. He’s got good movement and he’s a southpaw, so I think that would probably give Inoue [a few] problems.”

Before challenging Inoue in a potential mega-fight early next year, ‘Bam’ must first become a three-weight world champion against Antonio Vargas, the WBA bantamweight titlist, on June 13.