By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda
Unbeaten three-division champ “Monster” Naoya Inoue participated in a public workout on Saturday prior to his shot at the WBC, WBO 122-pound belt against Stephen Fulton on July 25. Naoya said, “By moving up from 118 to 122 pounds, I feel more comfortable, stronger and sharper. I’ve also improved my speed.”
After skipping rope and before shadow boxing, his manager/promoter Hideyuki Ohashi abruptly told him to stop training not to show it to the trainers of Team Fulton in attendance since Fulton displayed nothing yesterday. The psychological warfare has already begun.
_
the Monster by KO within 10 he will become undisputed at 122 then jump to 126 where he will start to have problems or tougher opponents
I really don’t believe there’s anything that either side could pick up on from the short media work out that would somehow give them a secret key to success over the other. However, psychological warfare in this sense just adds to the fun and intrigue. Let’s go Inoue!
In my opinion…habits can exposed…be careful with what you show…hence Louis v. Schmeling….
This should be very interesting for as long as it lasts. Anything can happen. Fulton may be much stronger than I think. Hard to envision Fulton outboxing and not getting hit hard with counters. Fulton will win some rounds though.
Great great fight
Fulton is great fighter and might be too big for Inoue who won his first championship at 108 lbs
Fulton great boxing skills and speed Inoue hard hitter with a huge heart
The pound-for-pound number one will be on display in a couple of weeks and if he vanquishes Fulton in style, even if Crawford handily defeats Spence 4 days later, Inoue will still be pound for pound number one on the international boxing scene. Probably not in the NABE bubble though.
Fulton to strong and skilled. Will definitely win
They both have good reputation but Inoue is more famous than Fulton
Whoever wins will get lot of recognition
Fulton might jump to pxp list as a number 10
Inoue might jump to number 1 on pxp list
Quid Pro Quo. Fair enough.
Inoue by KO in 8 or less rounds
Something Fulton and his team should be concerned: “By moving up from 118 to 122 pounds, I feel more comfortable, stronger and sharper. I’ve also improved my speed.” and Japanese people like Inoue have truth on their words, so, that sound scary.
inoue has no chance , this is a mismatch , fulton by tko
I think this fight will be very interesting. And I don’t think it’s too incredible that the result could come as a surprise.
Inoue is a phenomenon. We all know that. It is also the type of boxer who is constantly looking for new challenges and who is constantly developing to the better with these challenges.
Fulton is not a KO artist. He is not the only one with such a fine record as he has. And to be honest, many boxers behind these numbers are not the best. Fulton hasn’t faced too many top contenders.
But. Some he has met and not least defeated.
I was particularly impressed with the way he mastered Figueroa, who is a boxer who must be extremely difficult to face. Another boxer that I also think Fulton showed his true strength against was Khegai, who is a well-trained, a bit of a pressure-boxer type you often see in Eastern Europe.
Fulton boxed well in both of these tough bouts, moving nicely, slipping and countering quickly, reading opponents admirably and displaying a ring IQ that will benefit him against Inoue as well. Fulton proved he can handle size, strength and extreme pressure in both these two fights.
Inoue is the favorite, when you see the odds and hear most boxing experts. I still want to draw attention to Fulton. I think this fight can be much more even than most people think.
If someone wins by KO, almost everything speaks for Inoue. If Fulton manages to master Inoue and not get knocked out, I am far from certain that Inoue will win on points in that case.
Just a great match between two fighters in their prime….Inoue a beast though….great matchup of styles…..