We all know Naoya blasts Nonito out early...how about Takuma vs. Nordine? Vote here!

Inoue doesn't have the power to keep Oubaali off of him, Nordine barrels through him and stops him in 9, via a body shot.

 

Can we discuss one of the fighters on the undercard? Katsuya Fukui... that's a hell of a name.

 

Not really, Oubaali is an absolute beast. Takuma is really up against it here.

 

Don't think I've ever seen Takuma fight before. But I'm a fan of Norbaali and I'm picking him via ass paddling


NORDINE OUBAALI: ‘TAKUMA INOUE HAS NEVER FOUGHT A FIGHTER LIKE ME’



Oubaali (16-0, 12 knockouts), who resides in Bagnolet, France, won the vacant WBC title by defeating Rau’shee Warren on January 19 in Las Vegas. Oubaali successfully made the first defense of the title in his most recent bout on July 6, stopping Arthur Villanueva, of the Philippines, after the sixth round in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan.

The 33-year-old of Moroccan descent will be facing the younger brother of Naoya Inoue. Takuma (13-0, 3 KOs) is 10 years’ Oubaali’s junior and has not fought since defeating Tasana Salapat (also known as Petch Sor Chitpattana) by unanimous decision on December 30.

Like his older brother, Takuma Inoue will have the home-crowd advantage.

“He is a good fighter,” Oubaali told The Ring in an email on Monday. “He is also our mandatory. He is unbeaten but he has never fought a fighter like me. We know we are better than him.”

Oubaali, who is ranked No. 4 by The Ring, believes he has to make a statement on Thursday night. He has displayed more power in recent fights, having stopped six of his last seven opponents.

Oubaali can generate a buzz with an impressive performance at the expense of Inoue.

“I do believe I have to win this fight clearly,” said Oubaali, who is trained and managed by his brother, Ali. “I never look for a knockout when I fight. If the knockout comes, it does naturally. This most important to me is to show my potential and demonstrate I can box. I can also be spectacular.”

A win on Thursday would put Oubaali in a position to defend against Luis Nery, who fights on November 23 against Emmanuel Rodriguez.

Oubaali is eyeing a potential showdown and unification bout against the winner of the Inoue-Donaire fight. He believes the fight can happen sooner than later.

“I have another mandatory after this fight against the winner of the Nery-Rodriguez fight. To be respectful to my opponent, I have to first win my fight against Takuma. I’m sure if Naoya wins, he will ask to fight me to avenge his brother.

“I would be happy to face either Naoya or Donaire in a unification fight. Who would not? I want to fight the best in my division and to show to the boxing world that I’m the best bantamweight in the division.”

With only 16 fights and at an age when many fighters could be past their primes, Oubaali believes the best is yet to come in his career.

“I have not reached my peak yet. Definitely not. I still have a lot to learn and progress. The more I fight, the more I get better.”

 

I think so. He looks very solid in all departments and he can crack as well.

Not seen Takuma fight before so maybe he'll have something to say about that.

 

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Oubaali won by UD.