Shingo Inoue thinks Naoya Inoue should retire right now

It's understandable, given that both sons had great performances, that Shingo may feel that way. And what a time to bow out it would be. Health intact, millionaires. Statistically, a miracle for guys below FW.

How times creeps up on us though. FW seemed like the logical step after beating Tapales, but Naoya stayed put to (eventually) fight Nakatani. I'm glad he did, but now, at 33, whether it's a Bam or an Espinoza, we're always gonna be looking for those first cracks. I can believe he's just about begun that decline, though I think some exaggerated after the Nakatani performance. That was a tough, crafty and powerful counter-puncher. He asked more of Naoya than Fulton ever did. He's mustard.

In terms of going the distance thrice in a row, it's a combination of naturally bigger, hardier, and cautious opponents. MJ and Picasso were happy to survive, and Nakatani, after apparently telling Rudy that Naoya didn't hit that hard, went on to get his cheekbone cracked.

Naoya could do with a more aggressive opponent next time. Remember, quite a few of his KO's at BW and lower came from brutal counters. Before his rep started spooking people.

 

I'm sorry, I love Inoue a lot but he is not even in the convo for top 5 of all time, yet alone top 1. That is insane.

 

Thank you

 

I think he's clearly past his best but still very good. I would like to see him at least try to win a title at 126 and preferably against Espinoza a win there would leave pretty much nothing else to do.

As for retirement I am of the opinion that it's better to retire a little early than a little later specially in a brutal sport like boxing.

 

Wrote top 5 instead of top 25.

 

I don't get this kind of thinking. The more someone keeps moving up in weight, of course their KO percentage is going to start diminishing. Not necessarily because they're declining, but simply because the guys they are fighting are bigger and can take more power that smaller guys can't. I don't know why people are acting surprised that Inoue is no longer knocking everyone out. It's to be expected.

Also the reason why you're starting to see Inoue get knocked down more. This would happen whether he was declining or whether he was still in his absolute prime.

 

Well said. Hell, most boxers' KO percentage drops inside their single division once they step up to world level. The better your competition the harder it is to knock them out.

 

I agree and he should retire unless he has a personal goal he wants to achieve.
He has nothing to prove and boxing as everyone knows can be an extremely harsh sport where one moment your on top and the next your getting counted out.

 

He should retire now. Nothing left to prove.

 

It's true. Even the fighters that are considered pillow-fists now, usually when you look back at the start of their pro career they were knocking most guys out too.

 

Honestly he could....................already one of the greatest little guys of all time. That's more than secured

 

Inoue has world champion for more than 12 years and won an incredible 28 consecutive title fights. At 33 I don’t think anyone can begrudge him a happy retirement if that’s what he chooses but for some there’s always the next big fight on the horizon that he should have.