Comments Thread For: The Inoue Auditions

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[Elheath]

I am pretty sure Top Rank collecting potentially three of four featherweight belt holders going into 2024 definitely had Inoue opponents considerations.

Vargas/Figueroa for PBC is also interesting because they also have Fulton at 126 in their stable, and assuming late 2024-2025 Inoue would be busy getting the Top Rank guys, so PBC may rotate around their belt waiting for the undisputed showdown.

[boxingitis]

Im still impressed how a 118 pounder easily destroyed the best 122 pounder with no fights to adjust to the new weight class.

[Elheath]

Im still impressed how a 118 pounder easily destroyed the best 122 pounder with no fights to adjust to the new weight class.

That was probably a huge surprise among the US boxing fans considering Fulton was by far the most notable US name Inoue fought, but given the circumstances I think Inoue jumping from 108 to 115 and destroying Omar Narvaez who was the number one 115 champ at the time was even more impressive IMO. He did that as a younger who had gotten his first belt at career sixth match in 108, and just two matches later going up two division for number one guy at 115.

Ironically his work on Narvaez caused the ducking domino Inoue had to suffer through the next three years.

[Robi13]

Inoue is a great talent and seems he will be able to beat anyone from junior feather and featherweight, I can see him going as high as lightweight to get challenged.

[Griever0730]

That was probably a huge surprise among the US boxing fans considering Fulton was by far the most notable US name Inoue fought, but given the circumstances I think Inoue jumping from 108 to 115 and destroying Omar Narvaez who was the number one 115 champ at the time was even more impressive IMO. He did that as a younger who had gotten his first belt at career sixth match in 108, and just two matches later going up two division for number one guy at 115.

Ironically his work on Narvaez caused the ducking domino Inoue had to suffer through the next three years.

It's only surprising if you've never seen Inoue fight. Fulton is a very good fighter, but nothing about him had me thinking he was gonna win that fight or last all 12. Nobody thinks much of Asian fighters or the weight classes that the majority of them fight in. Inoue is no ordinary Asian fighter. Most people just picked Fulton bc they knew nothing about Inoue, nor did their homework to find out. Inoue will probably hafta move up again and face even bigger guys to really have some problems bc 122 has no other options for him if he knocks off Tapales. Tapales is good and deserves this fight against Inoue. But from what I've seen of him, just can't see him winning this fight either. Like him or not, Inoue is a special fighter and it's gonna take another special fighter, probably bigger than him, to beat him.

[Elheath]

It's only surprising if you've never seen Inoue fight. Fulton is a very good fighter, but nothing about him had me thinking he was gonna win that fight or last all 12. Nobody thinks much of Asian fighters or the weight classes that the majority of them fight in. Inoue is no ordinary Asian fighter. Most people just picked Fulton bc they knew nothing about Inoue, nor did their homework to find out. Inoue will probably hafta move up again and face even bigger guys to really have some problems bc 122 has no other options for him if he knocks off Tapales. Tapales is good and deserves this fight against Inoue. But from what I've seen of him, just can't see him winning this fight either. Like him or not, Inoue is a special fighter and it's gonna take another special fighter, probably bigger than him, to beat him.

Even the current crop of featherweights Inoue still holds some type of advantage IMO, albeit not as lopsided as the Inoue-Tapales will end up to be.

[Elheath]

Inoue is a great talent and seems he will be able to beat anyone from junior feather and featherweight, I can see him going as high as lightweight to get challenged.

Unfortunately I think retirement age will catch up to him before he ever reaches lightweight.

If Inoue wanted to challenge for Pacman's record and was focused on going up over clearing out the division, after Tapales he could immediately go up to feather and get a belt as early as next spring or summer 2024. Then maybe around 2026 challenge whoever gets the belts Haney vacated when the timing comes. However, that will require him picking a few of the lesser champs for more divisions with potential losses scattered.

[Griever0730]

Even the current crop of featherweights Inoue still holds some type of advantage IMO, albeit not as lopsided as the Inoue-Tapales will end up to be.

I agree. Don't wanna dismiss Tapales completely, but if Iwasa was able to work him the way he did, just don't see him being competitive throughtout the whole fight with Inoue. The Akhmadaliev fight might have been the best night of his career and even that win for him was debatable. Even at FW, the only guy that would give Inoue a tough fight and a possible L would be Ramirez and maybe Vargas just bc of their size and length. All the other guys, Inoue runs them over. Just my opinion tho.

[tokon]

Im still impressed how a 118 pounder easily destroyed the best 122 pounder with no fights to adjust to the new weight class.

Yes, that was an impressive debut at the weight!