By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda
A press conference of the forthcoming WBC, WBO 122-pound title bout between Stephen Fulton and Naoya Inoue took place on Saturday in Yokohama, Japan, and there happened a controversy on hand-wrapping caused by Fulton’s eloquent trainer Wahid Raheem. He talked long, but people there couldn’t fully understand what he wanted to say. When questioned, Raheem claimed that Inoue’s hand-wrapping should be properly done with fair supervision. Naoya cooly replied, “I fought twenty-four times—all fair and square. They seem a little too nervous and sensitive, and they need not worry about the fairness of this bout.” Hideyuki Ohashi, ex-world champ and Inoue’s manager/promoter” looked frustrated by his comment, and said, “Naoya engaged in nineteen world title bouts, and there were definitely no problems happening.”
The defending champ Fulton confidently said, “I’d like to fight intelligently and enjoy fighting. I won’t accept nothing but my victory.” The challenger Inoue said, “This time I am the challenger, which greatly motivated me. I believe Fulton is the best and strongest in the super bantamweight class. If I beat him, I’ll be able to prove I am the best. I hope so.”
“Monster” Inoue was presented a prestigious WBO super belt for his previous unification of the four bodies’ bantamweight belts by WBO president Paco Valcarcel.
WBO featherweight titlist Robeisy Ramirez said, “I don’t have much information on the challenger Shimizu, but think he is one of those Japanese fighters who battle with heart. I’ve prepared well for that.” Shimizu, 37, said, “For me, this is as important a fight as I boxed in the Olympic Games in London (against Luke Campbell). I know Ramirez is very fast and skillful, but I’d like to utilize my style and show my best.”
This deluxe show will be presented by Ohashi Promotions.
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So monster has been using fake hand wraps and boxes cabbies and used up tomato paste fighters I knew it Japan’s setting the kid for his first loss time to jump ship monster
Stop being retarded
Inuoe going to fuck Fulton up, you must be a casual and don’t know shit about boxing.
Fulton is an elite level boxer who is bigger, probably stronger than Inuoe. The best fighter Inuoe has fought and you feel Inuoe is going to smoke him. I don’t think so. I see a close fight, with possibly controversial decision.
I look forward to watching Monster beat the living crap out of Fulton. This is going to be delicious.
When Fulton wins the Karens of boxing will say he was too big
He won’t.
Hawnjay, your man crush (Fulton), is not only going to lose, Monster is going to fuck him up.
Fulton already making excuses. Old feather fists is going to sleep.
Like Jared “Candy Ass” Anderson, Fulton is a punk. In a couple of days, Fulton will get the living shit beaten out of him, and I will have my popcorn ready to enjoy watching it.
Inoue would ko Fulton with pillows attached on his gloves lol !
Regis, this is going to be delicious. I can’t wait. Monster is going to crush this pathetic dude.
Inoue will shutdown this american clown
Is for fools believe that by creating controversy will help to derail the state of mind of Inoue. Inoue is one of the best guys in the game and his conviction for victory is one of his main assets that will never be disrupted by cheap elaborated stratagems, Fulton’s people should be prepared for the worst instad
Fulton gonna finish his monster energy drink and then go back and smash monster mash and it’s gonna be a graveyard smash
For those saying Fulton is making excuses obviously either dont care about the sport or reveal themselves as race fans. If the shoe was on the other foot, these comments would mention Fulton has been double stacking his wraps to create a cast on his hands. And getting kos with enhanced power.
Commissioner approved Margarito before Mosley’s corner caught it. And that was the lame excuse from Inoue camp.
Another cheat allowed to cheat in an already dangerous sport. Wilder would have been crucified by you same supporters.
That’s literally why the opposing team can watch the handwrapping, and have them rewrapped, if necessary. Is there actual proof of Inoue wrapping his hands illegally? Where were the other boxers’ trainers while this was happening? I’d like to see actual proof.
different states, countries etc have different ruling on how hands are wrapped. Where Inoue fights, its legal to put tape on the skin 1st, then wrap, then tape, then wrap and tape again. That would NOT fly in New York (Tito Trinidad against Bhop). But where the fight is happening, its ok. Fulton knows the rules ahead of time. Double stacking.
NJ Boxing… completely understand your perspective…particularly using…Margarito….as an example….this does not show fear…or ..prove that anyone is cheating.. actually allowing your opponents team such access promotes fairness…in Mosley’s case….it worked….may not be anything here concerning cheating ….on this level a fighter would rather have the ability to watch the hand wrapping and complain than not….proven to be effective
@NJ Boxing You say versions of the same thing in all of the comments. You are one of the “race fans” as you put it.
Fulton is too big for inoue I be ashamed if Fulton does not ko Inoue
Just like when Spencer could not ko small Mickey Garcia
It was a shame for Spencer
yea just like when GGG and Bivol couldnt KO the much smaller Canelo i get what your saying
Much smaller Canelo?? Compared to Bivol, yes. But in the last GGG fight Canelo was visibly bigger.
Fulton is not known for knocking people out.
His name is Spence not Spencer bro
Inoue is my favorite active fighter. His skill level is insane and he is so fun to watch. Fulton wins this one. His size (4 pounds may not seem like much but Inoue started his career 5 weight classes below), his speed, and his unwillingness to engage will be enough to push Inoue to either a loss or worse, a boring fight.
It’s not the 4 lbs diference is the body volume
Fulton will make 122 with power
Inoue 122 weak
But I’m with Inoue as well
Fulton is going to be Inoue’s lipstick wearing bitch until he gets KTFO.
Fulton forgets he’s not fighting in NABE territory. He’s used to the privilege, special treatment and comfort of fighting in a realm that always favors him and his cohorts. In a few days he will be rudely awakened to the facts of natural selection, and it will be done on the most fairest of terms. Meritocracy always wins in the end:-)
This doesn’t sound like a controversy except for publicity. It is standard protocol for the opposing side to observe the handwrapping of the opponent in person.
Fulton seemed a little blind-sided by what his trainer was saying, look at the video. My thing is this, why mention it a couple of days before the fight? Why sign the contract if the they were so concerned about this issue? Ain’t no way Fulton is walking away from the supposedly $3mill he’s getting for this fight.
exactly hes trying to disrupt the Inoue camp and hes already making excuses for Fulton getting knocked unconscious and for the double stacking comment and margarito comment let me clarify Margarito used a hardening substance where as Inoue is using extra guaze or tape in now way is that the same they should go ahead and fine the Fulton camp for false accusations
Yeah not a Margarito tactic, more a Flex Trinidad tactic.
Sounds like fultons team aren’t as confident as fulton himself…. the monsters smaller but I think wins by knockout….
Fulton got stressed out because the casino has Inoue 4-1 to win
Godzilla vs king kong
There is only one monster in this fight, and he is from Japan. Fulton is going to lose. In fact, I believe he is going to get KTFO.
Fulton is not only going to lose, he will get KTFO.
thats how these japanese fighters cheat its all about their hand wrapping technique
Hmmh…might explain the power at the lighter weight classes. When Brother Naazim and Hopkins exposed Tito Trinidad’s wraps, Tito’s power was never the same. Fulton too slick for Inoue anyway.
By that time tito never went down to 147 again where his power was. Very suspect when he fought Joppy. That was before the BHop fight and I thought something was off that night. Same thing in early 2005 Atlantic City when Margarito fought a guy from venezuela. I was ring side when the guy nearly lost his ear. Tito not following NY rules was a bit different than Margarito though.
That’s just so Fulton will have an excuse for losing, hand wrap mind game crap play by black fighters.
More black fighters in Canastota than anyone else by far. Must work, I suppose, BigO. Too many race fans on this site.
More that have no business being in the bhof, smh.
What’s Fulton’s excuse now??? Lmao.!!!
It’s really unfortunate when people throw around accusations like this. Being unfounded, it’s hard to not see this as a simple distraction and excuse for coming failure by the accusers. Regardless, I hope Fulton gets his ass knocked out of the ring.
Call it out team Fulton. If you see something fishy don’t be shy. Felix Trinidad and Antonio Margarito were caught cheating with their hand wraps so it’s not impossible. Win, lose, or draw fair competition is a priority.