Naoya Inoue @ ~Super~ Bantam: destiny, or bridge too far?

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by IntentionalButt, Nov 7, 2019.


I believe Inoue can defeat:

Poll closed Dec 27, 2019.

  1. Navarrete

    5 vote(s)
    29.4%

  2. Vargas

    8 vote(s)
    47.1%

  3. Román

    8 vote(s)
    47.1%

  4. Figueroa

    7 vote(s)
    41.2%

  5. Rigondeaux

    7 vote(s)
    41.2%

  6. Akhmadaliev

    8 vote(s)
    47.1%

  7. Iwasa

    8 vote(s)
    47.1%

  8. Tapales

    7 vote(s)
    41.2%

  9. Anyone at super bantamweight currently

    7 vote(s)
    41.2%

  10. Nobody is guaranteed; any world rated SBW has decent chances.

    5 vote(s)
    29.4%
Multiple votes are allowed.
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  1. IntentionalButt

    IntentionalButt Tyler went away. Tyler's gone. Staff Member

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    There's just no challenge left at 118lbs. Oubaali? Nery? Tete? All would be massive underdogs.

    So how do we like the Monster's chance against the belt holders at 122:

    1. Navarrete (WBO)
    2. Vargas (WBC)
    3. Román (IBF & WBA super)
    4. Figueroa (WBA regular, formerly interim)

    ...or top contenders?

    1. Rigondeaux (Vargas' mandatory)
    2. Akhmadaliev (Román's/Figueroa's mandatory)
    3. Iwasa (Román's IBF mandatory)
    4. Tapales (Navarrete's mandatory)


    Moving up and grabbing a strap there would mean Inoue becomes Japan's second ever 4 weight division champion after Kazuto Ioka.
     
    IntentionalButt, Nov 7, 2019
    IntentionalButt, Nov 7, 2019
    #1
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  2. Boxcel

    Boxcel Member Full Member

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    Donaire took his shots too well. Inoue needs to bulk up so his power can carry up
     
    Boxcel, Nov 7, 2019
    Boxcel, Nov 7, 2019
    #2
    Thanos and eltirado like this.
  3. Dannymita

    Dannymita Active Member Full Member

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    I'd like him to stay at bantam... Fight Nery then step up... I'm not arsed about fighting tete anymore sadly... I'd rather tete fight donaire and if he wins then have a pop at the king.

    I think navarette would be an absolute pain in the ass for inoue but I'd love to see it

    Haven't seen enough of vargas or roman to comment on how a fight with them would go
     
    Dannymita, Nov 7, 2019
    Dannymita, Nov 7, 2019
    #3
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  4. sid

    sid Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Inoue beats all bar Navarrete not sure how that fight turns out atm.
     
    sid, Nov 7, 2019
    sid, Nov 7, 2019
    #4
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  5. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I don't think he should be rushed just yet, he needs to clear out Nery, Oubaali, Tete and then move up if no other challengers. I do see him eventually moving up in the future, only question is if his monstrous power can still carry him up in weight. I'd say him going up to SBW is inevitable.
     
    Flo_Raiden, Nov 7, 2019
    Flo_Raiden, Nov 7, 2019
    #5
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  6. From.Russia

    From.Russia Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Dont really know this division, but if its decent, he might have troubles if he trades with bigger guys, like he traded with Donaire
     
    From.Russia, Nov 7, 2019
    From.Russia, Nov 7, 2019
    #6
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  7. IntentionalButt

    IntentionalButt Tyler went away. Tyler's gone. Staff Member

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    It's decent, for sure, but I wouldn't say any of its upper echelon make the p4p elite or anything.
     
    IntentionalButt, Nov 7, 2019
    IntentionalButt, Nov 7, 2019
    #7
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  8. DirtyDan

    DirtyDan Worst Poster of 2015 Full Member

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    Nery vs Inoue is an extremely juicy fight and one that needs to happen before he moves up. The Japanese never forget and Yamanaka was a legendary champion in Japan until Nery absolutely destroyed him yet failed a drug test in the first fight and missed weight the 2nd. Nery also has to avenge his bro's loss and pick up that green strap to be the first unified bantamweight champion with 3 or more belts.
     
    DirtyDan, Nov 7, 2019
    DirtyDan, Nov 7, 2019
    #8
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  9. From.Russia

    From.Russia Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Inoue is not a fighter with exceptional defence or speed, fighters like him aint doing great moving up, unlike the likes of Toney, Mayweather, Pac and Lomachenko, but maybe i am wrong.
     
    From.Russia, Nov 7, 2019
    From.Russia, Nov 7, 2019
    #9
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  10. IntentionalButt

    IntentionalButt Tyler went away. Tyler's gone. Staff Member

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    I mean, Pacquiao started in roughly the same waters as Inoue and moved up (and carried his power up) plenty... and his defense is hardly anything to write home about. :nusenuse: He is fast, though. Of course, I'd argue that speed is hardly a weakness of Inoue's - but yeah, not as prominent a trait as his power, and probably not in that "exceptional" stratosphere like Pac's was.
     
    IntentionalButt, Nov 7, 2019
    IntentionalButt, Nov 7, 2019
    #10
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  11. pincai

    pincai The Indonesian Thin Man Full Member

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    Nery is a drug cheat.. I hope Rodriguez smash him to pieces..
     
    pincai, Nov 7, 2019
    pincai, Nov 7, 2019
    #11
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  12. eltirado

    eltirado Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Rigondeaux has no belt, but its the biggest name. A good bridge between Donaire & Vasyl
     
    eltirado, Nov 7, 2019
    eltirado, Nov 7, 2019
    #12
  13. UnleashtheFURY

    UnleashtheFURY Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Rigo/Donaire II would be a fun fight at this stage.
     
    UnleashtheFURY, Nov 7, 2019
    UnleashtheFURY, Nov 7, 2019
    #13
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  14. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Boxing Addict Full Member

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    If Inoue starts moving up after clearing BW I would like Inoue to test the waters by facing Rigondeaux. Would be a good start for the weight.
     
    Flo_Raiden, Nov 7, 2019
    Flo_Raiden, Nov 7, 2019
    #14
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  15. roughdiamond

    roughdiamond Ridin' the rails Full Member

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    He should clear 118 first for that historical prestige.

    You never know, he might actually be better after this bout and moving up in weight / not draining. Remember Hasegawa winning the 126 strap after being starched by Montiel? That could happen (though I personally feel Hozumi was the more talented, but fragile, fighter, but that's a different debate).

    And that experience with Nonito today will only allow him to realise and tighten up his boxing IMO. He has time.
     
    roughdiamond, Nov 7, 2019
    roughdiamond, Nov 7, 2019
    #15
    eltirado likes this.
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