Naoya Inoue. The darling of boxing hipsters and writers despite a weak resume, consisting of one semi-live body in a fading 36 year old Donaire. And Donaire hasn’t had a significant win since he was in his 20’s and still managed to break Inoue’s face in half and push him to the brink. Dude boils down to 118 to overpower fighters in a terrible division. And he’s very, very basic defensively. He’s got big power, but other than that I’ve never been that impressed. He’s good, but not anywhere near a top 10 P4P guy in my book. The hipsters can have him, I’ll pass until he moves to 122 or 126 and shows something vs a live opponent. I’d like to see him fight GRJ, Inoue is taller, longer and heavier than him anyway, but is still lingering 2 weight classes below him.
He does have enough power for 118 lbs division. If in good shape, GRJ at 126 lbs might stop him. This isn't then younger Loma's version he had in the ring and called in forums as potato by some posters GRJ maybe might stop him brutally and this might look damn impressive.
Does Inoue really boil down to 118? He looks to be just where he belongs there. His defense is definitely as basic as an elite level guys defense can be. I think he is extremely intelligent but not as skilled. At 118 there will be a hard time finding someone to beat him. He is smart and has wicked power.
Its just because his style generally isn't fun to watch, which is why his nickname is klinchko. After his changed his style up I only enjoyed a few of his fights being Klitschko vs Pulev, Klitschko vs Joshua, and Klitschko vs Samuel Peter ? first one was a case of him letting his hands go more because Pulevs jab was giving him problems and the Joshua fight was a case of him just letting his hands go more when Joshua gased Klitschko is obviously far superior to Wilder but Wilders wild style kind of makes him more fun to watch imo. Because you never know what will happen. He has murderous power but low skill.
After western training added he was more effective. I really agree that for example Vitali was more watchable boxer than these both: Wlad and Wilder taken together.
Vitali was awkward but more enjoyable. Its debatable who was better but i think Vitali was. I honestly think Vitali was
We were in Tokyo a couple years ago for a fight and worked out at a couple different gyms. Multiple people at both gyms told us that Inoue is right around 135 pounds walking weight.
It is not possible for me to tell who will had won if they had fought. They are brothers and cultural, religious and traditional things are sometimes more valuable for long term than multi million hyper fight. Who was more watchable from these 3? Vitali, Wlad and Wilder? For me Vitali.
I agree. Vitali had more dog in him. Wlad was, maybe, a bit more naturally-gifted in certain respects - but his brother was, ultimately, the more formidable fighter IMO.