[JAPAN SPORTS NOTEBOOK] Naoya Inoue Puts Reputation on the Line in Latest Title Quest
Read the full story on SportsLook – [JAPAN SPORTS NOTEBOOK] Naoya Inoue puts reputation on the line in the latest title quest
The announcement on Monday, March 6, that Naoya Inoue would be making his super bantamweight debut against WBC and WBO champion Stephen Fulton sparked a flurry of questions.
Can Inoue become an instant super bantamweight hit?
Just three months after the former undisputed bantamweight champion gave up his four title belts (WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF), is Inoue ready for a title shot in the 122-pound division?
Will Inoue’s previous experience as a light flyweight, super flyweight and bantamweight champion be a factor against Fulton, who has only stepped in the ring for six world title fights in his pro career? (Inoue has appeared in 19 world title fights.)
Are there any key fight adjustments that Inoue needs to make in order to be crowned champion in a fourth weight division?
Does he have time to make those adjustments without having at least one non-title fight as a super bantamweight before taking on Fulton?
Additional questions about the Inoue-Fulton fight
Are Inoue’s handlers too confident that he can make the leap from bantamweight to super bantamweight without competing against others?
Even though Inoue is listed as the top contender by both the WBC and WBO, is that sort of a stepping stone?
Is Fulton overrated?
Looking at the combined tally of both fighters, one statistic catches the eye: Inoue’s punching power has proven (so far) to be more lethal than Fulton’s.
Inoue is 24-0 with 21 knockouts in a pro career that began in October 2012.
Fulton is 21-0 with eight KOs since his debut in October 2014.
Inoue meets Fulton on May 7 at Yokohama Arena.
Inoue thinks he’s better than Fulton
Japan’s boxing “monster” said he was confident he would succeed against his American opponent and prove he was a better fighter.
“I’m superior to him in strength and lightning speed,” Inoue told Boxing News reporters at a news conference in Tokyo.
He added, “I don’t know anything about my game plan and strategy unless I’m climbing through the ropes.”
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Author: Ed Odeven
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