Jeff Fenech vs Naoya Inoue at 118

Fenech by PTS.

 

Today revealed that the answer is Fenech.

Way too physically strong for Inoue.

 

My man Fenech wins

 

Fenech is too strong, and eventually mauls him after cage openers. Jeff has to watch for the power early, but he'd definitely catch up to him. No shame for Inoue.

 

I said on another thread I don't think Inoue was exposed, just put into proper perspective. Soooo many times guys like this are overrated early, he's very good no doubt, but as of right now there's a whole level above him at 118. Does anyone think the guy you saw would have survived Carlos Zarate? Jofre, Olivares? I think Inoue and Alphonso Zamora would be a war and I might pick Zamora

 

People need to give the guy time. He can only get better after the Donaire bout IMO. He still has a whole career. He might even be better at a higher weight, you never know.

 

What did Fenech do at 118? He was 22 years old the last time he fought at 118. His best win is Jerome Coffee. Go look at Jerome Coffee's record. He was 26-0 but he hadn't fought anyone with a pulse in almost 3 years. During that period, Coffee fought 8 times (his opponents had a combined record of 32-82-4). Coffee hadn't beaten a fighter with a WIN in 19 months. That's Fenech's best win at 118. Fenech also holds a win over Steve McCrory who failed as a pro. Both Coffee and McCrory were able to hit Fenech and able to take his punches. Even though McCrory (the boxer) fought Fenech at close-range, he still lasted 14 rounds. Neither fighter was a puncher but McCrory still put Fenech on ***** street with a left hook. McCrory was 11-0 with 3 KOs, Coffee was 26-0 with 11 KOs. The best fighter that Coffee stopped had a record of 4-4.

Fenech was 4-0 in title fights at 118. Fenech won the IBF title from Shingaki. Shingaki won a vacant title against a guy who was 3-7-2 (0-4-1 in his last 5). Fenech beat him twice along with Coffee and McCrory. Coffee was the only ranked fighter Fenech beat at 118 (ranked #8 by The Ring) and that was a competitive fight.


Inoue is 4-0 at 118. He beat McDonnell, Payano, Rodriguez, and Donaire. Everyone here loves bringing up resumes, unless the older fighter has the shittier resume. In that case, it comes down to "styles" or "physical strength". First time I've seen a guy win a hypothetical matchup based on strength.

McDonnell was a former champ and ranked the 2nd best bantamweight in the world by Ring. Not only was he a top bantamweight, he also rehydrated to 144 lbs on fight night. Inoue KO'd him in 2 minutes. That's the only time McDonnell has been stopped. Not strong enough for the Monster.

Payano was a former champion and ranked #5 by The Ring. Inoue KO'd him in 70 seconds. Inoue was the first fighter to stop Payano. Payano recently got stopped by Nery but that was due to a body shot and he gave Nery all he could handle for 9 rounds. Nery is also a massive puncher.

Rodriguez was a defending champion, ranked #3 by The Ring. He didn't last 2 rounds. Rodriguez went 12 hard rounds against a big puncher in Maloney in his previous fight without getting hurt.

I don't need to tell you about Donaire. The only time he was stopped was against Walters at 126. Not before Donaire made Walters do the stanky leg. All of Donaire's losses came at 122 and 126. The Donaire that fought Inoue would've slept Fenech and all his opponents at 118.

Inoue KOs Fenech at 118. Sure Fenech was strong and put a lot of pressure but he can't take Inoue's right hands like he did against Coffee. He had a habit of dropping his left hand after he jabbed and when he went to the body. He'd lean forward at times rather than bending his knees, leaving his chin exposed. Fenech didn't have good head movement as a bantamweight either. He wasn't good at cutting the ring off, he was chasing Coffee majority of the fight. Inoue is one of the best boxers in the world and he's also one of the best counter-punchers. He can counter with both hands and he's ridiculously accurate. Fenech is gonna walk into Inoue's right hands the way he did against lesser opponents. The difference is, Inoue can actually punch. Y'all played yourself if you think Fenech would beat Inoue at 118.

 

What a rediculous statement, Fenech's one of tghe best i've ever seen at cutting the ring off and NOBODY aside from Gomez (which even that is far from a certainty) KO's him below 126.

 

Good post. It would be different if the fight was at 122 but at 118 Inoue wins.

 

I think Inoue is an excellent fighter. But, I think yesterday's fight is the kind of fight that will shorten Inoue's career. That was the first time he will have to wake up knowing he was in a FIGHT. Although he showed excellent heart, I will be shocked if he fights 10 more times total.

 

I am a pretty big Fenech guy, and I reluctantly agree with this.

 

out of curiosity how did the Donaire fight reveal anything of that sort?

 

as you and I know well, this was the type of fight that can shorten your career even on the winning side. The lighter weights frequently burn bright and short. Just as an estimate and looking at what is out there, including a step up in weight...how much longer do you think is realistic for him to stay at the top. I don’t mean it as a negative either I think Inoue is the goods.

 

Well I'm actually changing my opinion here after @Golden_Feather99 excellent post.

The guy's got the talent, but he needs to tighten up his game. His biggest challenge is Navarette at 122 IMO. 126 is his end goal apparently.

Apart from Navarette, I honestly don't think there is anyone who can do what Donaire has done. And I'm sure Naoya will get better after this one. He seriously needs to tighten up his defense tho his movement is brilliant. I am honestly struggling to see him ever doing a Hasegawa though, which is a change of my opinion, and he will lag behind him for his career IMO. He is extremely underrated. All this tells me is too not overhype a developing fighter, and never count out a great one.

Funny thing is, months ago tin ribs made some comments and predictions on Inoue, and every single one was right lol.