TOKYO -- Japanese boxer Naoya Inoue is giving up his four bantamweight belts and plans to fight as a junior featherweight.
The undefeated Inoue holds the title belts for the WBC, WBO, IBF and WBA. He made the announcement at a news conference in Yokohama, Japan, on Friday.
"The real battle starts from here," Japan's Kyodo news agency quoted Inoue as saying. "I am very excited."
Inoue, who turns 30 in April, has also won championships fighting at lighter weights.