Can Naoya Inoue become a boxing super star in the future?

[Flo_Raiden]

What are the possibilities of The Monster gaining a huge following outside Japan in the future? Can he become a more widely popular name in boxing right now alongside Canelo, GGG, Loma, Crawford, Wilder, Joshua? Would be nice if at some point he becomes a PPV attraction and have an even bigger fan base. He's too good to not have a wide appeal with casual fans.

[OCPancho]

If he wants to be one, he should bolt out of Japan and start training in California.
Sign with GBP .

[Eff Pandas]

I wouldn't bet on it. Certainly not in the US.

Lil guys in general have a tiny chance of becoming stars in the US as sub 140lbers. Then the added fact he's not US born or Latino cuts into his chances in the US even more. Maybe he could become a superstar in another country, but his chances of doing so in the US would be near 0%.

[FinitoxDinamita]

Im all about the smaller weight divisions but I doubt inoue can be a star in america. Market isnt big enough and he doesnt speak english.

But that’s the same reason why All the smaller guys from Latin countries make japan their adopted home. Boxing always had a good place in Japan and demand is huge for smaller fighters. When the Kameda brothers were active, they were selling out millions regularly while getting paid shtload. That’s why all the good Japanese fighters choose to stay in their backyard. They dont need America.

I dont see Inoue becoming a star here even if he moves up to 126...

[CrowsNestWest]

Nah boxing fans don't support Sub- lightweight fighters like that. The best example is Chocalatito, who at 45-0 should've been a huge star but wasn't outside of hardcore fans. He has to leave Japan for sure and promote like a normal athlete.

[The Big Dunn]

I thought he was on his way because IMO he would've destroyed Chocalito had they fought when he was undefeated. Now without HBO, I expect he will be a name but not the international star I thought.

I was thinking the next Hamed.

He hopefully stays a free agent and makes fights with all promoter fighters and he will be a big star-just not what he could've been.

[4truth]

It would take at least one other high profile fighter at that weight to generate some interest. maybe a gold medalist from the US or UK could create a perfect storm but it seems extremely unlikely.

[LetOutTheCage]

No unfortunately I don't see it, fighters at those weights rarely get the publicity they deserve. At the very least he would need to be able to sell himself I.e. trash talking but as far as I know he doesn't speak English which will count against him

[Eff Pandas]

It would take at least one other high profile fighter at that weight to generate some interest.

Yea this is super valid too. Part of becoming a star is building yourself into a star off of the back of your opponents. And lighter weight guys being spread out among so many close weights = less competition vs the tip top guys therefore harder to make guys as big as they could be if more lil guys were in less divisions.

[boliodogs]

I think he can. He just needs to keep on slaughtering good opponents and fight on venues where a large number of people world wide get to see him fight. There is nobody I would rather watch fight than him.