Japanese boxing star Naoya Inoue criticises American boxers and their boxing style
Naoya Inoue gives his criticism of American boxers and identifies what they lack.
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Naoya Inoue ( Image via : Ring Magazine)
As a non-American boxer, Naoya Inoue has stormed his way to the top of the major rankings, becoming a force to be reckoned with on the global stage. In December of last year, Inoue defeated Filipino southpaw, Marlon Tapales to become the undisputed super bantamweight champion of the world. Subsequently, this was a title he had already won a year earlier in the bantamweight division. Furthermore, as he looks back on his career in boxing, Inoue speaks about his fights against American opponents.
As such, while talking about American boxers and their boxing styles, Inoue brought up his former opponent, Stephen Fulton. This was Inoue’s first fight in the super-bantamweight division after leaving the bantam division. Furthermore, in an interview with Ring Magazine, Naoya Inoue stated that Fulton avoided trading blow for blow inside the ring. Subsequently, Inoue stated:
I don’t know if it’s because he’s American, but he doesn’t like getting punched in the face. Their boxing style is different from Japanese fighters who fight with Yamato Damashii (Japanese spirit).Naoya Inoue via Ring Magazine
Hence, Inoue suggested that most American boxers and their boxing styles try to avoid brawling or in-fighting. In addition, Inoue stated that some boxers in America are different, but most prefer not to get punched in the face.
Furthermore, Inoue mentioned sensing this after his first round with Fulton, as Inoue noticed his facial expression change. Inoue continued to dominate Fulton and later won the fight via an 8th-round TKO, and he received Fulton’s WBC and WBO titles.
Naoya Inoue responds to being confused with Terence Crawford
The current top active pound-for-pound boxers are undeniably Inoue and Terence Crawford. Furthermore, both boxers are the only ones to become two-time undisputed champions in the four-belt era. Subsequently, their dominant performances inside the ring and their undefeated record are also a testament to their skill.
As such, during the Inoue interview with Ring Magazine, journalist Daisuke Sugiura brought up Crawford’s topic. In addition, Sugiura asked Inoue what his thoughts were on being compared with Crawford for the pound-for-pound number 1 fighter. Inoue responded by stating that Crawford is the number one pound-for-pound boxer currently.
Furthermore, Inoue mentioned that it is an honor to have reached a level where he is comparable to fighters like Crawford. Inoue also mentioned that he won the Fighter of the Year award recently. In addition, Inoue stated that becoming the number-one pound-for-pound boxer is more important to him than his career.
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Abhijay Roy
(551 Articles Published)