How Naoya Inoue can beat Stephen Fulton

Naoya Inoue will be looking to become a four-division world champion when he moves up to super bantamweight on July 25 at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena to challenge WBC and WBO champion Stephen Fulton.

This will be The Monster’s toughest test yet as he faces off against the undefeated Unified Champion, who is two years younger, an inch and a half taller and has a 3.5 inch range advantage. Not to mention that Fulton is technically sound, with quick hands and a strong defense, traits that have repelled all 21 opponents who have tried to defeat “Cool Boy Steph”.

MORE: Everything you need to know about Inoue vs Fulton

But Inoue’s lineage, in which he has 21 knockouts in 24 fights, is beyond doubt and there hasn’t been a single challenge he hasn’t mastered. Can his goal of becoming a four-league champion be achieved on July 25?

The answer is yes, and here’s how.

Although Fulton has some physical advantages, his game has weaknesses that were revealed in previous fights. And should those opportunities present themselves to Inoue, you can be sure he’ll take full advantage of them.

Of particular note is Fulton’s occasional blunders in the ring, allowing his opponents to make their way into the ring and tie him up with his back to the ropes. Against Brandon Figueroa, Fulton was routinely pinned to the ropes and practiced with body shots over the course of 12 rounds. Fulton fought back and made the fight incredibly enjoyable as he won a majority decision, but he can’t afford to let a body puncher like Inoue have his way.

Inoue’s bodywork is highly acclaimed and has proven extremely effective throughout his career. Whether he’s sinking his opponents to the canvas with a well-placed shot or bringing his hands down with body punches to land a brutal combination, Inoue’s offense often begins with body tearing down.

He is smaller than Figueroa but much more agile in his movements. For some reason Fulton allowed weaker opponents to find their way inside. He may enjoy fighting on the inside, but against Inoue that could prove fatal.

Fulton also has a penchant for being hittable and we’ve seen far fewer opponents hit him clean. Opponents like Adam Lopez and Isaac Avelar were able to penetrate his defense. Neither is anywhere near Inoue’s level, but has managed to find some success on offense. Granted, both came up short, but Inoue is a far superior fighter, requiring just one punch to drastically change the outcome of a fight.

Brandon Figueroa beat Fulton several times in his fight but couldn’t finish the job. Should Inoue injure Fulton at any point in the fight, you can bet he’ll jump at the opportunity to get the job done.

But the biggest problem is that Fulton doesn’t have the power to make Inoue think twice about his approach. With just eight knockouts in 21 fights, Fulton has yet to prove he has the power behind his punches to fend off an aggressive opponent. And when you’re up against someone like Inoue, who’s both a superb boxer and a KO threat, there has to be something behind the punches that keeps The Monster away.

So far, no one has been able to force the Japanese fighter to reconsider his actions. If you are a skilled boxer, he has proven to be more skilled. If you have power, it’s even stronger. Inoue is the total package and there’s a reason many consider him the best pound-for-pound boxer in the sport. And against Fulton he will further cement his status.