Naoya Inoue not waiting on Bam before moving to 126; makes February 2027 deadline

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by Flo_Raiden, Jul 29, 2026 at 9:03 PM.


Page 1 of 2
  1. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    21,842
    34,994
    Oct 12, 2010
    I like this. Why wait it out? Better now than never. He already has his eyes set on 126 but still wants to fight Bam. Ball is on Bam and his team to make it happen before it’s too late.

    This content is protected
    This content is protected
     
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2026 at 9:08 PM
    Flo_Raiden, Jul 29, 2026 at 9:03 PM
    Flo_Raiden, Jul 29, 2026 at 9:03 PM
    #1
    PopPellegrino, Salty Dog and yaca you like this.
  2. MidniteProwler

    MidniteProwler Fab 4. Mayor of Aussie Boxing Full Member

    30,079
    34,074
    Sep 19, 2012
    Inoue isn't going to waste his time on a fighter who is desperately trying to age him out before agreeing to fight him.
     
    MidniteProwler, Jul 29, 2026 at 9:54 PM
    MidniteProwler, Jul 29, 2026 at 9:54 PM
    #2
    lt. columbo, Stonehands, Hi-Tek-Lomo and 1 other person like this.
  3. Fogger

    Fogger Father, grandfather and big sports fan. Full Member

    9,477
    15,349
    Aug 9, 2021
    If we assume that Manny Pacquiao retired again, then these are my two favorite active fighters, but, hopefully Bam lets him go. Aside from money, there is absolutely no reason for a fighter who just moved up and had his first fight at 118 to move up to 122 so quickly.

    I realize that the Monster is probably bored at 122 because he is a man who likes achievements and goals so there is not much left for him at junior featherweight.That doesn’t mean he couldn’t move back down to 122 for a mega money fight with Rodriguez later in 2027.
     
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2026 at 10:49 PM
    Fogger, Jul 29, 2026 at 10:38 PM
    Fogger, Jul 29, 2026 at 10:38 PM
    #3
    PopPellegrino and yaca you like this.
  4. WhataRock

    WhataRock Loyal Member Full Member

    36,484
    21,073
    Jul 29, 2004
    Naoya turns BAM into SPAM.
     
    WhataRock, Jul 29, 2026 at 11:11 PM
    WhataRock, Jul 29, 2026 at 11:11 PM
    #4
    MidniteProwler and GoodBot like this.
  5. yaca you

    yaca you Someone past surprise Full Member

    4,368
    60
    Jun 1, 2010
    I think the fight will happen in febuary. Its in Bams best interest to delay that fight to make that move up easier for him. Nayoas statement means he wont be played like that by Robert Garcia, who wants to get the best chance for Bam to win.

    I would favor Inoue to win in a exiting competitive match, but i dont think it will go the distance.

    Inoue has already accomplished more than Crawford. If Inoue beats Bam and then moves up and beats Espinoza? that would make Inoue far greater than Crawford!
     
    Last edited: Jul 30, 2026 at 2:26 AM
    yaca you, Jul 30, 2026 at 2:20 AM
    yaca you, Jul 30, 2026 at 2:20 AM
    #5
    PopPellegrino and Hi-Tek-Lomo like this.
  6. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    21,842
    34,994
    Oct 12, 2010
    Inoue being straight to the point and isn't going to wait around for someone. This fight is too good for Bam and his team to pass up, especially with the career high payout they'll receive. I'm confident that they'll make it happen.
     
    Flo_Raiden, Jul 30, 2026 at 6:27 AM
    Flo_Raiden, Jul 30, 2026 at 6:27 AM
    #6
    Salty Dog and yaca you like this.
  7. Serge

    Serge Ginger Dracula Staff Member

    83,932
    139,370
    Jul 21, 2009
    What Inoue is essentially saying here is put up or shut up, punk.

    You want another dead man on your CV, the name of another fallen warrior who has died a thousand deaths on the battlefield, another defanged tiger and to scavenge the last remaining morsels of flesh off another cadaver instead of hunting live prey

    You speak my name but hide like a turtle in a shell. How can you call yourself a man and look your father and son in their eyes when you have no spine and testicles?
     
    Serge, Jul 30, 2026 at 7:45 AM
    Serge, Jul 30, 2026 at 7:45 AM
    #7
    Dangerwood84, Wizbit1013, lt. columbo and 1 other person like this.
  8. bandeedo

    bandeedo Loyal Member Full Member

    36,599
    24,765
    Feb 19, 2007
    The fight will be made for may of next year. Bam will fight for a unification at 118 between then.
     
    bandeedo, Jul 30, 2026 at 10:10 AM
    bandeedo, Jul 30, 2026 at 10:10 AM
    #8
  9. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    21,842
    34,994
    Oct 12, 2010
    What makes you sure it'll be for May? By that time Inoue will have already focus on his move to 126. It's better for the fight to be done sooner than later.
     
    Flo_Raiden, Jul 30, 2026 at 10:21 AM
    Flo_Raiden, Jul 30, 2026 at 10:21 AM
    #9
    PopPellegrino likes this.
  10. ellerbe

    ellerbe Loyal Member Full Member

    39,938
    17,010
    Jul 25, 2014
    Bam definitely trying to age Inoue as much as he can. Can’t 100% blame him since he doesn’t need Inoue since he’s so young and if he continues this streak his career is set in stone. Ofc if he beats Inoue it propels his career but it’s more high risk since he can wait it out and he doesn’t have advantages over Inoue. I’d rather Inoue let Bam age him out than fight Espinoza though. If Junto could bully him, Espinoza is just a bad fight.
     
    ellerbe, Jul 30, 2026 at 10:49 AM
    ellerbe, Jul 30, 2026 at 10:49 AM
    #10
  11. ellerbe

    ellerbe Loyal Member Full Member

    39,938
    17,010
    Jul 25, 2014
    Rather him fight Bam than that freak of nature monster Espinoza. To me he clearly beats Bam, Espinoza id favor him over Inoue
     
    ellerbe, Jul 30, 2026 at 10:54 AM
    ellerbe, Jul 30, 2026 at 10:54 AM
    #11
  12. Wizbit1013

    Wizbit1013 Drama go, and don't come back Full Member

    15,167
    19,472
    Mar 17, 2018
    The absolute right stance from Inoue

    Balls in Bams court now
     
    Wizbit1013, Jul 30, 2026 at 11:50 AM
    Wizbit1013, Jul 30, 2026 at 11:50 AM
    #12
    PopPellegrino likes this.
  13. Rumsfeld

    Rumsfeld Moderator Staff Member

    49,888
    17,176
    Jul 19, 2004
    It probably shouldn't happen. The fact is they aren't that close to the same weight for each man's respective career stage. Bam had just 1 fight at 118. Inoue has had 18 fights at 118 or higher, with half of those at 122.
     
    Rumsfeld, Jul 30, 2026 at 1:29 PM
    Rumsfeld, Jul 30, 2026 at 1:29 PM
    #13
    Fogger and PopPellegrino like this.
  14. Salty Dog

    Salty Dog globalize the Buc-ees revolution Full Member

    11,466
    6,926
    Sep 5, 2008
    I would like to know why Bam draws so much bile. What horrible thing has he done?
     
    Salty Dog, Jul 30, 2026 at 1:32 PM
    Salty Dog, Jul 30, 2026 at 1:32 PM
    #14
    Fogger, Flo_Raiden, Rumsfeld and 1 other person like this.
  15. PopPellegrino

    PopPellegrino Active Member Full Member

    602
    666
    Feb 21, 2026
    Good move by Inoue, and I can't wait to see this fight or, just as exciting, to see him move up to 126.

    Also, to everyone criticizing Bam for fighting "old men," it's not his fault he's faced the highest level of competition available. Bam is a symbol of American boxing, and I think that's part of the reason some people are harder on him than they are on other fighters in a similar position.
     
    PopPellegrino, Jul 30, 2026 at 1:39 PM
    PopPellegrino, Jul 30, 2026 at 1:39 PM
    #15
Page 1 of 2