Naoya Inoue: Bob Arum Says Two-Weight World Champion’s Career Even More Legendary Than Manny Pacquiao’s | Boxing news
Ye Joon Kim took on possibly the toughest assignment in world boxing in just two weeks when he agreed to fight Naoya Inoue this Friday, live Sky Sports.
‘The Monster’ Inoue is one of the best boxers in the world at any weight, in fact he was the undisputed champion in two weight classes and holds the WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF world super bantamweight titles.
He was due to box Australian challenger Sam Goodman who had to postpone the fight a month ago when he suffered a cut in sparring and then had to pull out completely when the cut reopened in training.
Kim was preparing to fight on the undercard at Ariake Arena on Friday and was ready as a possible replacement. But still – going in with Inoue is a step up from any level he’s boxed at before.
Top Rank’s Bob Arum, who represents Inoue, went so far as to compare the Japanese superstar’s talents to Manny Pacquiao, who Arum also promoted.
“Boxers are unique. Manny Pacquiao was a great, great champion, he was great for boxing. His career is legendary. Naoya Inoue’s career is even more legendary because, unlike Manny, he went through division after division without losing a fight,” Arum said. .
“You really can’t compare either of them because they’re both obviously great fighters, but they’re also different. Manny’s been reckless in a lot of fights and that’s why he got knocked out in the last fight he had with [Juan Manuel] Marquez. Because he went on the attack and didn’t ask for an answer to the shot.
“But he was a great entertainer and he entertained the fans and he was loved not only in the Philippines but all over the United States.
“Now Inoue is a much more disciplined fighter. He’s much more fair in the ring. He doesn’t take chances. Sometimes you do, but he usually doesn’t take chances.
“I think if it comes down to skills, from a technical boxing standpoint, Inoue is far better than Manny Pacquiao. This is not to disparage Pacquiao, but I just want to say that in Inoue we not only have a hard knockout, but a very, very well trained technical fighter .”
Inoue also has to adjust to a new opponent, but warned that he feels perfectly prepared for this next undisputed title fight, live Sky Sports+ from 7:30 on Friday morning.
“As I changed my schedule, I felt taking this long to prepare my body was a big plus,” Inoue said.
“I think it would be best to make these kinds of adjustments before the big matches in the future. So I think the two delays and the one-month delay were helpful.”
He added of Kim: “In terms of style, I get the impression that he’s a whipper.
“I just want to trust what I’ve learned from my 25-year boxing career and do my best on match day.”
Kim, who grew up in an orphanage and amassed a professional boxing record of 21-2-2 (13), hopes to cap off a remarkable journey against Inoue.
“I’m in a good position,” he said matter-of-factly. – I’ve been preparing for a month, so there’s no problem.
Can Inoue be defeated?
Top Rank President Todd DuBoef said Sky Sports: “We had a big upset with Jaime Munguia. Who would have thought that?
“I think it was a beautiful display of surprise, to be caught. Inoue is a top talent and we’ll see what he does.
“I think Inoue is a super special fighter with an unheard of incredible IQ, power and speed in both hands. I think to get to him, a fighter has to be very special and probably a little bit lucky to be able to do something and he [Inoue] must do something careless. I think it’s very difficult to try to beat him.”
DuBoef added, “When he starts moving up, I think that’s where the potential struggles could happen. When he starts going to 126 lbs or even 130, they’re big guys for where he came from.
“Believe it or not, I think Junto Nakatani is right on his heels and he looks great. I see stylistically, the size of Nakatani, even though he’s lighter weight, you look at his physique and the way he punches, it’s a tough fight for Inoue.
“It’s great to see that culture and that country really support boxing and develop it the way it has. There’s a lot to be done going back to Ryota Murata when he left the Olympics and Inoue at the time. We’re really seeing a real renaissance there.”
Watch Inoue vs Kim live on Sky Sports+ from 7.30am on Friday morning. Stream Sky Sports with INSTANT – No contract, cancel anytime
