By: Sean Crose
He won world titles in three weight classes. He knocked out almost ninety percent of his opponents. Without a doubt, he is one of the best weightlifters on the planet. And he is about to face perhaps the most difficult challenge of his career. Naoya Inoue, just thirty years old, is having a pretty solid career of her own. Since his first professional match, back in 2012, Inoue, who is known by the nickname “The Beast”, has appeared determined to beat everyone who stands before him. After twenty-four battles, he was still undefeated. However, American Stephen Fulton wants to change all that when he and Inoue play against each other next week at Ariake Arena in Inoue’s hometown of Japan.
Like Inoue, America’s Stephen Fulton is yet to lose a match. A product of the prominent Philadelphia boxing community, 29-year-old Fulton possesses a fluid, slick ring style, a style that some say could frustrate Inoue and might even remove a much-vaunted list of titles from his bout. Once again, Fulton was considered by some to be Inoue’s toughest opponent. Considering the fact that Inoue has already rated the future Hall of Famer Nonito Donaire, that’s really saying something. However, the questions will also follow Fulton into the ring that night.
For example, what will happen if or when the man is arrested? While slyly in the ring, it’s hard to imagine Fulton going into an all-out match without a hit to the head that is at least clean at some point. After all, this is a twelve-round title battle. Also, how will the battle away from home affect Fulton on the night of the battle? Fulton has certainly traveled throughout his career, but Tokyo is a long way from Philadelphia. In the end, what if Inoue could move his body in a brutal way that only Inoue seemed to be able to do? Lesser men had fallen to pieces under such blistering attachment.
However, Inoue was the challenger here. Fulton, when all is said and done, is the one who will cross the ropes to claim the WBC and WBO super bantamweight titles next week. Inoue may be a local favorite when he and Fulton answer the bell on the 25th, but Fulton will be the belt holder. At least as long as the war drags on, that is. Perhaps even longer. One never knows when boxing is mentioned. The only real certainty when it comes to this fight is that both men will bring their A-Games into the ring with them.
