Can Naoya Inoue become a big boxing super star in the future?

as big as can be expected. marketed correctly, he could become the biggest bantam star since olivarez. i think he already is, just isnt translating to numbers, just yet.

 

Nah, he's not. Tatsuyoshi is much bigger in Japan than Inoue is, and Inoue himself would be first to tell you that.

 

japan is a little island, im talking worldwide recognition and appeal. again, as can be expected, he is obviously never going to be pac level, but he can certainly surpass previous bantams.

 

He's starting to be pushed now in the Western media stakes.

Another 1-2 fights unifying (if he wins) and on the right cards and he can start to make a massive international impression.

He's already at that level in my eyes anyway, anyone who has a mokum of true interest in the sport knows who he is!

 

Tatsuyoshi's a superstar in Japan. That means a lot more to both Inoue and Joe than their recognition in America does. I'd wager that Joichiro is more famous in most continental countries as well.

 

that may well be true, but it doesnt affect what i wrote. i believe the question was can he?

 

I love the guy but I just can't see it. The language barrier, the weight, all against him

 

I still remember that video of Inoue meeting Tatsuyoshi and going into fanboy mode. Damn that was cool. I can't seem to find it anymore though.

 

No.

No one gives a crap about 130 below. They care even less about a foreign fighter.

Inoue doesn't have a story to sell. He's never spoken a word of English in interviews. And he doesn't really have a personality nor does he seem interested in becoming one to sell tickets. He just loves fighting.

He'll only be appreciated by die hards until he retires.

 

Definitely.

He's eight lbs off the likes of Morales, MAB, Marquez, early Pac, The Prince, Loma...

And he's got time...and skills.

 

Mexico has a rich history of boxing in the US. Japan doesn't. Pac had a story to sell. Inoue doesn't.

 

If he cleans out 122 and 126, none of that will matter.

 

Man, I hope so. He represents everything I love about boxing. Disciplined, super high skill level, fun to watch even for casuals and he’s a true professional, not a cherry picking big mouth punk like so many fighters these days.

I’m not sure if he will ever achieve the level of fame he deserves but I can’t think of a more skilled, exciting and talented fighter in modern boxing. There are a few, Usyk, who like like as much but I don’t put anyone above Inoue. He’s a special fighter with ATG skills.