We are witnessing the second greatest Asian boxer in history, after Manny Pacquiao.
Naoya Inoue has lived up to his nickname, “The Beast”, using a terrifying combination of skill, speed, and power of crushing punches to annihilate all who stand in his way over the past decade.
In the process, he collected major titles in three divisions. And he’s filming his fourth bout Saturday in Tokyo, where he’s expected to challenge 122-pound weight class owner Stephen Fulton (ESPN+).
Boxing Junkie ranks him just below Terence Crawford on our pound list but some shops put Inoue at number 1, a coveted position that leaves no doubt about his all-round ability.
Promoter Lou DiBella put it well when he told ESPN: “He has no weakness.”
Inoue (24-0, 21 KOs) could be vulnerable in one aspect of his next challenge: size.
The 30-year-old from Yokohama, who began her career as a 108-pounder more than a decade ago, will challenge 122-pound belt holder Stephen Fulton on Tuesday night (early US morning) at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena (ESPN+).
In fact, Inoue will debut in this weight class. Fulton fought at the age of 122 or slightly older his entire career.
Inoue is a 3-1 favorite as most observers believe he is a better all-around boxer than Fulton, including far superior punch power. However, the champion’s innate physical advantage could be the equalizer.
“I’m pushing boundaries in my work, my limits,” Inoue said through a translator on ESPN’s “Camp Life.” “I really don’t know how this fight is going to play out. I will do everything I can to win.
“If I get the chance, I’ll go knockout and if it doesn’t work out that way, I’ll just focus on keeping my boxing solid to win.”
Plus, while Fulton (21-0.8 KOs) is primarily known as a technician, he isn’t shy about confrontation and has proven to be a tough guy.
For example, the 29-year-old man from Philadelphia emerged relatively normal after win a war with one of the world’s most bruised fighters in the weight class, Brandon Figueroa, to unify the two 122-pound belts in November 2021.
“Inoue is from 118, he’s never fought with a guy as big as Fulton, or as strong,” analyst and Hall of Famer Tim Bradley told FightHype.com.
“Fulton has been in this weight class throughout his career and he’s been there with some of the big boys and one in particular is Figueroa, and he was able to handle and beat him in the trenches.”
And, again, while most believe Inoue is better than Fulton, there isn’t a huge skill gap.
Fulton is an excellent fighter, as he most recently demonstrated by almost closed polishing technician Daniel Roman to defend his title last June.
If Fulton can take advantage of Inoue’s power and stay at his best, it’s unthinkable that he could surpass the Japanese stardom and win a life-changing victory.
Some have compared this fight to the Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao superfight in 2015, comparing Fulton to Mayweather and Inoue to Pacquiao. Mayweather won decisively.
“I would never compare myself to Floyd Mayweather or anything like that,” Fulton said. Yahoo! Sports. “I am my own guy, my own fighter and I have my own style.
“I’m smiling because a few people have said that to me since I’ve been here and I’ve received a few calls with people saying I remind them of Floyd. … One of my previous opponents, Danny Romano, said the same thing when analyzing this match.
“But yeah, I actually see myself as a great defensive fighter when I want to be, and I say that because I can really do whatever I want in the ring. I can do any style.”
If Fulton had what it took to be offensive, he would instantly become one of the sport’s biggest stars.
If Inoue comes out on top, that will only add to his already formidable legacy. It will be difficult for him to surpass Pacquiao in popularity but the more he wins, the more his own legend grows.
