So... Inoue moves to 118 without fighting Cuadras/Rungvisai/Gallo/Choco?

THREE EXPERTS – A FIGHTER, A TRAINER AND A MEDIA MEMBER – TELL YOU HOW A POTENTIAL MATCHUP WOULD PLAY OUT

Two elite-level junior bantamweights from Asia. Two pound-for-pound entrants. Two decidedly different paths to the same destination. Naoya Inoue, from Japan, passed the eye test with flying colors and was fast-tracked. The fighter known as “Monster” was a world champion in only his sixth professional contest and, remarkably, a two-division ruler by his eighth. The reigning WBO titleholder at 115 pounds has quick hands, quick feet, crushing power and makes a real target of the body. Conversely, Thailand’s Wisaksil Wangek (aka Srisaket Sor Rungvisai) toiled in obscurity until the boxing world was forced to take notice of the southpaw powerpuncher. In March, the former WBC 115-pound titleholder claimed a disputed decision over poundfor-pound star Roman Gonzalez to regain his old belt before sensationally knocking him out in their September rematch. The landscape has changed at 115 pounds, but the division and the potential matchups to be made in it remain enthralling. Inoue and Wangek are two of the best fi ghters in the world. Japan and Thailand are two countries renowned for producing courageous combatants that leave it all in the ring. Three boxing experts offer their opinions on a potential unifi cation clash between two of Asia’s most decorated warriors.

FIGHTER
KAL YAFAI WBA junior bantamweight titleholder

Wangek has a very high knockout ratio and his power is his major strength. He’s not much of a technical boxer. In fact, I don’t think he threw a single jab in his rematch with Gonzalez. To fight someone like Wangek you need to break him down slowly and attack the body a lot. You need to box him, but you also need to hit with enough power to get his respect. Inoue looks good, but when he gets in with the top guys he’ll tighten his defense up and vary his punches a bit more. He’s technically sound and he looks like he can punch a bit too. I would have to edge towards Inoue in this fight because I think he’d be too cute defensively for Wangek. If the fight came off, I think Inoue could get him out late and I think he’d do it to the body. The way to deal with this guy is to throw straight back hands to the body and whack him round the sides when you can. That will slow him down and then you can break him up and take him out.
Prediction: INOUE

TRAINER
RUDY HERNANDEZ Trainer of Carlos Cuadras

Wangek is a very good fighter. People have put a lot of emphasis on what Gonzalez didn’t do in their fights, but they forget that Wangek has 40 knockouts in 44 wins. That’s an amazing record. Carlos (Cuadras, who defeated Wangek in 2014) was surprised that Gonzalez picked (Wangek) as an opponent and thought it was a very dangerous fight. But, to me, Inoue is the man to beat in the division. He’s the best and I think he stops Wangek. In Inoue’s last fight (against Antonio Nieves) he had a guy who was in there to survive. When you see Inoue in there with the top guys, you’ll see why he’s one of the best fighters in this era. I’ll go as far as to say that Inoue would have held his own in any era at this weight. He has speed, power and great fighting instincts. It would be a great fight with Wangek, but I think Inoue’s youth and talent would be too much for him. He’ll be able to read him, time him and counter him. Inoue would look impressive and he would knock Wangek out.
Prediction: INOUE

MEDIA
MARTIN MULCAHEY Writer

Inoue sees everything coming and processes things quicker than most fighters. At this weight class, I just don’t see anyone who can beat him. Even before Gonzalez lost to Wangek, I didn’t think Gonzalez could beat him. Inoue has that perfect combination of speed and athleticism. I’ve also said in the past that there are Mexican fighters out there who will be jealous of this guy’s body-punching. I’m not sure Wangek is special. His wins over Gonzalez remind me of Iran Barkley beating Tommy Hearns twice. I just think it’s a “styles make fights” thing where Wangek has Gonzalez’s number. For me, if Wangek’s power and pressure don’t see him through in a fight, then he won’t have a Plan B. And if he can’t force Inoue to stand in front of him, he doesn’t have a chance. The way to fight Wangek is to stick, move and counterpunch. Wangek won’t have the feet to cope with Inoue. If he manages to cut Inoue, say with a headbutt, then that might be something, but this is an A-level fighter versus a B-level fighter. Inoue is better in every department.
Prediction: INOUE