Is Naoya Inoue the next Big Asian Boxing Star

[The Gambler1981]

I think he will be huge in Japan but outside of that I don't think he will be that big in wider Asia and because of his size making it big in Europe or America seems doubtful.

I wouldn't cry for him on that because if he reaches what he can be in Japan it really doesn't matter what else breaks for him.

[Dr Rumack]

True, I think he can definitely be the Asian star.. there's good fights. Imagine if he DID beat Gonzalez and Shiming? Good win and good exposure.

If Rigo stays at Super Bantamweight, I'm sure the next guy to beat him if he's from Japan (or happens to be Gonzalez) will be revered as a god among men.

Without a doubt. How it stands the test of time is another matter, but in the short-term at least it would be a giant win for whoever got it.

[Dr Rumack]

I think he will be huge in Japan but outside of that I don't think he will be that big in wider Asia and because of his size making it big in Europe or America seems doubtful.

I wouldn't cry for him on that because if he reaches what he can be in Japan it really doesn't matter what else breaks for him.

On the bright side he is only 21 though. So that gives him a long time to grow into the featherweight classes, and for an hispanic superstar rival to emerge at some point.

That's what he, or any other little guy, really needs. A Mexican hero to do battle with.

[JJRod]

He's definitely the next big Japanese boxer. I don't know about best Asian boxer. Uchiyama is a huge superstar in Japan, and apart from the core of hardcore fans here on NSB you'll be hard press to find people who know who he is.

[The Gambler1981]

On the bright side he is only 21 though. So that gives him a long time to grow into the featherweight classes, and for an hispanic superstar rival to emerge at some point.

That's what he, or any other little guy, really needs. A Mexican hero to do battle with.

Or some little European or American guy to have some Olympic glory which translates to the pros that is rarer than a Mexican but it can happen. It is really about what is out there for him, if the right guys pop at the right time anything can be overcome.

Another plus for him is he will be bringing the money in those classes which are not normally highly paid, so he will have his choice of top end guys that will have to travel to him if they want that money.

[Aztekkas]

if he fights in america and climbs up to a higher weight class he might be.

but he will never attain manny pacquiao greatness. no other asian will ever attain manny pacquiao greatness. nonito quackhypenaire tried to but he was proven a joke fighter.

He's definitely the next big Japanese boxer. I don't know about best Asian boxer. Uchiyama is a huge superstar in Japan, and apart from the core of hardcore fans here on NSB you'll be hard press to find people who know who he is.

The weight doesnt do him any favours neither...

[Scott9945]

why did inoue skip flyweight? he skipped one of the best division to fight at one of the weakest.

narvaez sucks is 4 feet tall and is an old 40 year old which is completely ancient at the lower weight classes.

i'm not sold on inoue. i think he is all hype. gonzalez and estrada both KO him easy.

He's probably just growing too fast. Shane Mosley had so much trouble making 135 that he didn't want to bother stopping at 140.

[SlySlickSmooth]

Without a doubt. How it stands the test of time is another matter, but in the short-term at least it would be a giant win for whoever got it.

If Japan keeps bringing Rigo back I'm sure they'll have him as a sort of "final boss" to their fighters. Not sure if Japan has any 122 fighters to face Rigo tho.

They do have Tomoki Kameda at 118 tho.. that could be huge.

[panyck]

He definitely will be the next big Japanese star.

Whether he'll ever cross over and become a world mega star like Pacquiao is very doubtful. The fact Japanese fighters make good money in their home country makes it hard to ever see them come to the US to fight.

[Dr Rumack]

If Japan keeps bringing Rigo back I'm sure they'll have him as a sort of "final boss" to their fighters. Not sure if Japan has any 122 fighters to face Rigo tho.

Like a Final Fantasy game