By Cliff Rold
Japan’s 21-year old Naoya Inoue (7-0, 6 KO) has the appearance of a potentially special talent. Equipped with solid skill, speed, and power, the young man already has a WBC title at 108 lbs. and a defense under his belt. Six of his seven opponents to date entered the ring with winning records and he won his title from one of the division’s most proven veterans, Adrian Hernandez, with a sixth round stoppage.
At 5’4 and with the frame to carry more poundage, it’s only a matter of time until Inoue moves up in weight. Has that time already arrived? Should it?
On Friday, Elisinio Castillo reported at this site that negotiations are underway for Inoue to jump seven pounds, and two divisions, to challenge WBO 115 lb. titlist Omar Narvaez (43-1-2, 23 KO) on New Year’s Eve. If negotiations culminate in fisticuffs, it would be a commendable risk for Inoue against one of the sports most statistically accomplished battlers.
Would it be a wise one?
Fighters taking on established veterans so early in their career are a mixed bag historically. Vasyl Lomachenko recently fell short at Featherweight in his second (depending on who you ask) pro fight, but came back in his next fight to win a vacant title. How his career plays out as he continued to take risks remains to be seen.
Jr. Middleweight Davey Moore won a title in his ninth pro fight at 12-0 attempted to defend against Roberto Duran in 1983. It ruined his career. Lightweight Jimmy Britt won a share of the Lightweight title with a decision over Battling Nelson in his twelfth outing, was knocked out in the rematch three fights later. He lost four of what would be his next and last eight fights, three of them by knockout. Conversely, Cuba’s Guillermo Rigondeuax outfoxed Nonito Donaire in 2013 to lay claim to the World Championship at 122 lbs. and is so good that he might be the most openly avoided fighter in the sport right now.
It remains to be seen what fate would have in store for Inoue.
Narvaez is often recalled in the US for a survival first decision loss to Nonito Donaire at Bantamweight. His native Argentina has seen a bigger picture. While his level of opposition has varied, and he has never attempted to unify his titles at Flyweight or Jr. Bantamweight, Narvaez is the first fighter in history to defend titles in two weight classes 10 or more times.
At Flyweight, he defended the WBO belts 16 times in a row. At 115 lbs., his current total sits at eleven straight. There has been real skill used to amass those numbers. Not a huge puncher, the longevity of the 39-year old former Olympian can be attributed to one of the best defensive skill sets of his era and a good chin when he’s been caught. At his best, he’s used his relative lack of size (standing only 5’3) to open foes up for quick counters.
There is plenty of risk in Inoue pursuing such a tricky veteran this early in his career. The reward is two-fold.
First would be the instant gratification of a win over Narvaez. Inoue would have a second divisional title less than 10 fights into his career and, in Narvaez, another notable veteran name on his resume.
Second, he would give himself position. Inoue is going to move up. It’s inevitable. 115 might be the safer place to rise to right now.
Flyweight is as stacked as any division in boxing right now. Whereas Narvaez is an aging, and slowing, name in his class, all three of Flyweight’s most prominent titleholders (Lineal/WBC Champion Roman Gonzalez, WBA/WBO titlist Juan Francisco Estrada, and IBF titlist Amnat Ruenroeng) are world-class fighters in their prime. They are surrounded by a minefield of dangerous former titlists like Brian Viloria, Moruti Mthalane, Giovani Segura, and Edgar Sosa.
115 lbs. is nowhere near as deep. Aside from Narvaez, and Mexico’s undefeated Carlos Cuadras, the field appears wide open. While the Fly wars play out, the fighter who can take 115 by the horns today is likely to have a lucrative payoff on the back end.
If Inoue can defeat Narvaez, he skips the minefield, has time to continue to develop and refine his craft, and transform himself into the man to beat for the man at Flyweight. They would be coming to him instead of Inoue giving chase. It might not be as fun, or risky, as going straight into the mouth of the lion and tempting Flyweight straight away.
It would be unmistakably wise.
Narvaez could defeat Inoue and might be favored to do so, even with the fight looking like it would be in Japan. Inoue could chalk it up to taking a risk too soon, but he won’t get beat up and he’ll learn from the experience. At Flyweight, the chance to falter and take a beating is higher.
Narvaez-Inoue is an interesting match on paper. If Inoue wins, it’s more interesting for what it could set up later as Inoue enters his prime.
Cliff Rold is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene, a founding member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com