This only reinforces my prediction that Bam will absolutely thrash Inoue if that fights ever comes off. Inoue is clearly past his prime. When a KO machine suddenly start being unable to hurt each and everyone of his opponents, it's never a good sign. Reek of late career Pacquiao. Doesnt means that he's still not a top fighter, but at the highest level, it will shows
Same style fight. Holmes Norton had 2 good rounds, 1 great round at the end. Wasn't any classic either
Inoue just beat an undefeated fighter with dangerous power. If anything it shows that he’s still more of a threat to Bam right now.
I think Usyk is clearly #1, but after that, i dont see anyone else that has a case. I feel that shakur might end up being greaterz but hes not nearly accomplished enough at the moment
Started out a bit more of a chess match and a lot of respectful to each others power in the first half with Inoue winning the majority of the rounds based on activity. Second half was much better the moment Nakatani started to feel more confident in himself by letting his hands go more and catching Inoue clean but didn’t do enough to win it. Underwhelming fight at first but finally started to live up the hype in the second half. Wouldn’t mind seeing a rematch down the road. If Naktani just let his hands go more early he might have had a better shot but was too cautious of Inoue’s speed and power.
He’s only been fighting once a year though and he’s fighting a kickboxer. Whereas Inoue just beat a guy that most perceived as his most formidable opponent. Inoue’s activity plus a big win over Nakatani puts him to the top.
Yeah, Usyk is dissapointing lately. Still, I think he has a much better resume. But Inoue certainly has an argument, and he still seems driven, while Usyk doenst
The Naoya Inoue vs Junto Nakatani fight has broken the all-time domestic PPV record across all combat sports in Japan‼️ “I can’t disclose the exact numbers, but it became the top PPV-selling event across all boxing and combat sports promotions." - Promoter Hideyuki Ohashi Via (@nikkansports)
Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman): "WON reporting Inoue/Nakatani had a reported 55K in attendance and a gate of $32M." | XCancel Meltzer saying the fight did a $32m live gate
So thats only the 4th highest boxing gate ever, worldwide. clearly that fuckin midget needs to forget japan and fight here
If an american midget uses the "he has to come to america" bs against a japanese fighter ever again ....
I got Bam over Inoue at this stage. It does appear that Inoue is in fact on the decline. His shots really don't have the snap and explosiveness that they had a few years ago. Can't beat Father Time.
Even Inoue at this stage should be able to handle Bam just fine. His last 3 fights he barely lost rounds other than with Nakatani and even then that’s 4 rounds tops against one opponent that he’s lost out of 36 rounds. He still has that speed and boxing IQ to his advantage. And if he managed to break Nakatani’s orbital very late then he most definitely still has the power to hurt Bam bad.
agREED On Inoue Being (Slightly) Past His Prime, But His Recent Inability to Stop Guys is Due to THEM Not OPENING UP More Than Any Slippage in Inoue...Instead of Fighting to WIN, Inoue Opponents Are Fighting NOT to Get Hurt... Even Nakatani Did This For Like 2/3rds of His Bout w/Inoue... Bam's a LIVE Underdog Against Anyone, But REED Thinks Inoue's SIZE/STRENGTH Advantage is Being Greatly Overlooked Here. Both of Them are Obviously SMALL, But Bam is Built Like a Small CHILD, Whereas Inoue is Built Like a Small MAN...Even @ an Advanced Age, Inoue is the More DYNAMIC/ATHLETIC Fighter Also... Bam is 1 of REED's Top 5 Faves Currently, But He's a Slight, Bird Chested Motherfucker...REED Thinks Bam Would Need a Sophisticated, Victor Conte Led SNAC Program to Bulk Up Enough to "Thrash" Inoue...REED Can't See Bam BEATING Inoue Anytime Prior to LATE 2027, 2028... Inoue Wins Convincingly in 2026... REED
Definitely UNDERwhelming, Knowing the Offensive Talents of Both Fighters...A Week Later, REED has Yet to Rewatch it and Likely NEVER Will... No Fault to Either, Shit Happens... REED