Comments Thread For: Does Naoya Inoue Need U.S. Exposure To Validate His Greatness?

[PunchyPotorff]

True boxing fans know him, and are very impressed with his record. Sure...
U.S. $$ and fame would help... but not enough for him to go out of his way. 50k fans
will fill the stadium for his upcoming bout... so obviously he isn't hurting for money.

[Bob]

Of course he doesn't, Murrrrica! Fugg yeah! think they're centre of the universe. They once had the power & reputation as a mecca of boxing but that's no longer true. Cable tv even bailed out of the sinking ship.

Inoue is the monster & the workd knows it. I hope he even gets in on some Saudi over paying money.

[H8boxxing]

USA is and always will be the mecca of boxing. Inoue could raise his profile and fatten his wallet if he would commit to building his fanbase here but he doesn’t seem interested. Wonder why? Could it be as Floyd suggested? Hmmm…

This nonsense about zero interest in lower weights in America is pure BS. We have a sizable MexAm fanbase who support lower weight fighters and you can also count Mexico as American since all their stars fight exclusively here. Mexican fans also flock to Vegas, California or Texas all the time, and they are way more knowledgeable than American fans about the lower weights and have known about Inoue for years. Inoue vs a Mexican star in Vegas would do very well.

The problem is Inoue. Fighting once every 3 years in America will not build a fanbase, especially when you!re fighting no name no hopers like Dasmarinas and Nieves. Have him fight a name Mexican every 4 months and broadcast it on ESPN. Won’t matter that he doesn’t speak English, his fighting style and KO power will draw the casuals in eventually and maybe even set up a massive catch weight PPV fight with Tank which would net him 10 times the payday he can make in Japan.

[Elheath]

USA is and always will be the mecca of boxing. Inoue could raise his profile and fatten his wallet if he would commit to building his fanbase here but he doesn’t seem interested. Wonder why? Could it be as Floyd suggested? Hmmm…

This nonsense about zero interest in lower weights in America is pure BS. We have a sizable MexAm fanbase who support lower weight fighters and you can also count Mexico as American since all their stars fight exclusively here. Mexican fans also flock to Vegas, California or Texas all the time, and they are way more knowledgeable than American fans about the lower weights and have known about Inoue for years. Inoue vs a Mexican star in Vegas would do very well.

The problem is Inoue. Fighting once every 3 years in America will not build a fanbase, especially when you!re fighting no name no hopers like Dasmarinas and Nieves. Have him fight a name Mexican every 4 months and broadcast it on ESPN. Won’t matter that he doesn’t speak English, his fighting style and KO power will draw the casuals in eventually and maybe even set up a massive catch weight PPV fight with Tank which would net him 10 times the payday he can make in Japan.

Out of curiosity who is this so-called name Mexican that Inoue can fight every 4 months that is currently in 122 that is a better combination of opponent than Nery-MJ- Goodman in Japan?

[Stab Master Arson]

Of course he doesn't. Why would he.

[theface07]

There's not VADA in Japan

And testing agencies can be bought off, what's your point? American organizations are some of the most corrupt in the world and unfortunately money trumps integrity and moral code nowadays.

[theface07]

He is just a japanese fighter playing it safe in his home with home crowd advantage. He is not big worldwide. Not many people know him in america, that's why he stays in japan.

Playing it safe? Are you mental? He has one of the best resumes in the world and KOs most of his opponents. I don't think "home crowd advantage" as you claim plays much of a role in his victories. He fights in Japan because he's huge there and routinely sells out venues. American and British boxers who are half as good as he is do the same thing.

[maguirre]

It's a business whether you want to admit it or not. Greed is not exclusive to America or any other country. Japanese promoters make more money in their own country than anywhere else. You have to lure him with at least equivalent to what he and his management team make in Japan. Or a bigger name with A-side behavior comes up, challenges him and wants it in the US.

[BenjaminLinus]

No.

Bam-Estrada tickets aren't even sold out and that's an AMAZING fight. America simply doesn't care about 130 and under.

Plus he's already fought 3X in the US behind the HBO hype machine and he didn't blow up.

[Big head smidge]

Inoue is well known here in America and the world he just loves his country and i’m sure Inoue really does not care about the fame and pompous statue lol
you know our fighters live for
lol
The only way i see him losing is if he fights a fighter thats a mirror of himself