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Philippines, 16 Feb 2026 |
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Why is Naoya Inoue Not Moving Up? By Teodoro Medina Reynoso PhilBoxing.com Thu, 27 Feb 2025  First of, let it be said that Dmitry Bivol, in finally defeating Arthur Beterbiev recently, demonstrated the proper way how to handle and tame a beast inside the ring. But it cannot be said that Bivol has come up with a standard paradigm or template on how potential opponents could handle and beat another beast as Naoya Inoue. The Japanese Monster is different from Beterbiev in that apart from being younger, comparatively strong and powerful, Naoya is quicker and has higher ring IQ. Nobody in and around the bantamweights (118-122 lbs) with the possible exception of Junto Nakatani has the chance to win against Inoue. Nakatani showed that potential in easily disposing off his top challenger David Cuellar recently after virtually going about the business only in less than a round in the third after surveying the best the latter could offer in the opening two rounds. To Nakatani's credit, he knew that he is way too much for the bantamweights and that is why he is desirous to move up to the next level. But Inoue is on the way and if there's no certainty of an immediate fight between Naoya and Nakatani at super bantamweight, Junto may be constrained to fall in line behind Inoue's mandatories unless a huge powerbroker as Turki Alalshikh steps in and make the bout. Boxing pundits have expected Inoue to make the jump to the featherweights this year. But it has been announced that Naoya may be making another mandatory defense against top Mexican challenger Alan Picasso Romero. The date and venue have not been set yet though promoter Bob Arum has earlier expressed the preference that the fight be held in the USA. So what is keeping Inoue from moving up to featherweight? Perhaps, just perhaps, Naoya has read about Wilfredo Gomez, the original Puerto Rican beast at 122 lbs who reigned a long time but fell literally face first against Mexico's legendary Salvador Sanchez in his first fight at losing bid for the WBC featherweight crown in early 1980s. Naoya has said he won't move up unless he is ready physically and mentally. But then, a showdown with Picasso and/or Nakatani will not prepare him either although with both standing 5-8 or over, Naoya will somehow get a feel of how it is fighting the generally taller featherweights especially the likes of champions Rafael Espinosa and Rey Vargas. But then again, a fight against Nakatani, which will be the biggest all-Japanese world championship match in history, and has the potential of earning both fighters their first multi-million dollars pay day. There's a possibility that Inoue will remain a puzzle to solve even at featherweights as experts swear to his qualities as a fighter, mainly his power, speed and high ring IQ as enough to trouble and beat even champions Espinosa, Vargas or Nick Ball. But it seems Naoya himself is not fully convinced he could dominate at 126 as he did at 118 and does at 122. I dare theorize that it is because of Stephen Fulton. Say what? Stephen Fulton? Didn't Naoya outslug and stopped the same Stephen Fulton for the first of his two world titles at super bantamweight before Inoue became undisputed champion? Well, partly yes. I am not convinced that Naoya faced the real, well conditioned Fulton in that fight . Remember before that fight, Fulton was already having difficulty meeting the 122 lbs limit and was all set to move up to the featherweights. The WBC in fact had arranged for Fulton to meet Brandon Figueroa again for its interim title. Then the offer came for Fulton to defend his unified WBC-WBO titles against Inoue. Despite what Fulton was already going through, including his readiness and disrupted preparations to move up to 126, Fulton found the offer to fight Inoue in Japan too irresistible. Hence, we did not see the real Stephen Fulton in the Inoue fight. The Fulton who used the entire length and breadth of the ring in beating the voluminous punching Figueroa barely showed the same movements against Inoue. In fact the ring broadcast panel was quizzical why Fulton was not only staying in the pocket but was also at times trying to take the fight against Naoya which they found suicidal. The obvious conclusion was that Fulton was far from the condition that allowed him to fight his usual defensive stick and move style. Fulton likewise grossly underestimated Naoya as it was Inoue"s first bout at 122lbs. The result was a disaster for Fulton. But Fulton has came back and recently won the WBC featherweight regular crown beating Figueroa by a combination of dazzling and powerful boxing. Not the old but a vastly improved Fulton who can not only move but boxed and hit with intimidating power. Pundits had expected Inoue to announce his move up to the featherweights before the Fulton-Figueroa second fight and especially after Fulton won. But it has been months since that bout and there has been deafening silence from the Inoue camp. In fact Bob Arum has not even mentioned Stephen Fulton in any plans about Naoya's move to the featherweights. I believe if there's a fighter who can tame and beat the Japanese Monster, it is the brand new Stephen Fulton at featherweight. Like Dmitry Bivol taming the Beast at light heavyweight Arthur Beterbiev. The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.  |
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