Narvaez-Inoue 12/31 in Osaka

Negotiations are underway for Inoue to jump 7 pounds,and 2 divisions to challnge WBO 115 lb. titlist Omar Narvaez on New Year's Eve.



This is awesome on so many levels.
First of all, I like Naoya’s desire to challenge himself so early in his career and go for the big boys at such a sustained pace.

Secondly, I am surprised and impressed by his desire to go up two weight classes at once and go directly for the top dog at the weight (at least arguably the top dog). And he would be doing so not only as the habitually lighter fighter but also as the much less experienced fighter, especially against Narvaez who is one of the oldest and most savvy foxes in the game today, in any weight class.

And third, I am absolutely stunned that they would manage to draw Narvaez out of his Argentinian homeground all the way to Japan. They must have prepared a pretty substantial financial offer. I am not one of the guys who thinks Narvaez is hiding his title in Argentina, I do believe he is willing to travel, I just think he wants good money to do it and I am surprised Japanese promoters are willing to pony up the cash for Naoya Inoue, whom they must be ready to invest in for the future.

There have been plenty of Japanese contenders in and around that weight class and their promoters never seemed so eager to raise their profile as to pay Narvaez to come over.
Somebody somewhere sees something in Inoue…