The Ring and undisputed junior featherweight titleholder Naoya Inoue put on something of a clinic en route to retaining his title with a lopsided 12-round unanimous decision over Murodjon Akhmadaliev on Sept. 14, in Nagoya, Japan.

While many admired the smooth nature of the performance, world-rated Fillipus Nghitumbwa was largely unimpressed and felt the challenger didn't give value for money.

"It was a very disappointing fight as it was very boring, it lacked action and we don't need boring fights at this level," Nghitumbwa (17-2, 15 KOs) told The Ring. "Why did [Akhmadaliev] call out the champion if he was not ready for the fight? I will KO both in one night."

The 29-year-old Namibian, who is rated WBO No. 8 and WBC No. 15, thought Inoue was a worthy winner but questions if he was a little gun-shy after touching down in two of his previous four outings coming into the Akhmadaliev defense.

"Inoue is always impressive but he was very ordinary and was very limited and that is maybe he was knocked down in his last fight?," he reasoned. "I am waiting for call for a date with him, so that I can show the world that I am the best junior featherweight in the world."

However, it won't be anytime soon with "The Monster's" immediate schedule looking full.

Inoue will next face Alan Picasso, The Ring No. 5-rated fighter, in Riyadh, on December 27 and then, all being well, a superfight with fellow Japanese fighter, Junto Nakatani, who is moving up to junior featherweight having captured world titles in three weight classes.

Interestingly, according to Nestor Tobas, Picasso and Junto Nakatani's opponent Sebastian Hernandez were apparently offered fights with his charge last month.

"During preparation for Nghitumbwa's last fight that took place on August 9, we contacted all the top world rated junior featherweights, as I understand to get a mandatory spot you have to fight the best, Picasso agreed to our offer and the contract was ready but later he pull out," explained Tobias. "Nghitumbwa was very excited to fight Picasso but was very disappointed when I told him that Picasso is not coming to Namibia as he got another offer to fight on the undercard of Barrios vs. Pacquiao.

"I managed to convince another top-rated junior featherweight, in Hernandez, who agreed to come to Namibia to face Nghitumbwa but later he pulled out. Nghitumbwa was very disappointed, but he was very hopeful that one day he will get another opportunity to fight a top-class fighter as he believes that the best should fight the best. I ended up convincing the undefeated Mxolisi Zuma from South Africa who had a great record to face Nghitumbwa on August 9 and Nghitumbwa won this bout by KO in Round 6."

In the meantime, Nghitumbwa will remain active, having won twice this year, and hope the call comes.

"It's very difficult to be this side of the world as these great chances are very limited, but I will be waiting for my time so that I can prove the world that I am the best," he said.

"My promoter, Tobias, has been keeping me busy and I believe he will continue keeping me busy with quality opponents."

The power puncher showed how dangerous he is narrowly losing to former three-weight world champion John Riel Casimero (UD 12) in The Philippines, in May 2023 and then vanquishing former IBF 122-pound titlist Yukinori Oguni (TKO 1) in Japan last October.

And while Inoue is in another stratosphere to those fighters, it shows Nghitumbwa is willing to travel and test himself.

Tobias, who has guided the likes of Julius Indongo, Paulus Moses and Paulus Ambunda to world titles, believes he can do the same with Nghitumbwa.

"I am planning for him to fight once more this year against a world rated boxer but it's very difficult to attract quality opponents to face this dangerous kid," he said. "But I will keep on trying and I believe he will get a world title shot in due course."

Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at elraincoat@live.co.uk and you can follow him on X @AnsonWainwr1ght.