I really hope they can make some good fights at higher weights. Dream fight still remains Lomachenko vs Inoue. even at his age. I hope he can still make 126
Given this Riyadh season is usually around October-February, I am now very optimistic to see the following timeline: Dec24: Inoue-Goodman in Japan (confirmed) April25: Inoue-MJ in Vegas or New York, hopefully Nakatani-Estrada as well but if not then Nakatani vs one last 118 fight given unification seems unlikely, or just some contender at 122 is fine too. Late Aug25: Inoue-Nakatani in Japan, Tokyo Dome redux. Will be the biggest card in Japanese boxing history. Late Dec25: Inoue-whatever 126 beltholder in location TBD for Riyadh season 2026: Hopefully Inoue continues to jump around Japan/US/possibly Saudi or even UK for Riyadh while going around to get belts.
Does this mean no more Tuesday and Thursday morning boxing in Japan? Boo if so Bam-Rod recently said he'll be ready for Inoue in 3 or 4 years which is the time he believes they'll be campaigning in the same weight class. He said he thinks he'll end up at 130, as in that's the highest in weight he can go, but 3-4 years is a long time in boxing and Inoue would be 34-35 by that time which is old for a leprechaun division fighter and he might ripe for the picking or even be retired so we might not see that one happen unless Turki can entice Bam-Rod with his pot of gold Could we see Inoue vs Nick Ball at 126 soon what with Ball being one of the jewels in Turki's business partner Big Frank's crown? Stylistically that's a cracker but I suspect we might see Inoue box and move more in that one as Ball is super physically strong and is relentless with his pressure and those combinations 130 is pretty weak at the moment so some of the current champs at 126 could move up to try and capture a belt up there Inoue vs Junto is the biggest and most sexy fight for Inoue at 122 but it would have to be in Japan. It could happen in Saudi or the US but it belongs in Japan and will be huge over there Inoue vs MJ should be the next fight at 122 for Inoue after Goodman unless that is they make Inoue vs Junto Ball and Espinoza or the winner of the later vs Robsy are the sexy fights for Inoue at 126 but all those guys can punch, are bigger, much bigger or likely bigger than Inoue, have good or excellent skills, and obviously Inoue has never fought at 126 so they're dangerous fights for him and he was dropped on his bungus by Nery at 122
Cruel fate robbed us of the real dream fight..the Sultan of Sana'a, the pugilistic perfectionist of the peninsula. The T...G...E.
