Notebook: Inoue 'pushing the boundaries' of build vs. Fulton
Featherweight titlist Lopez, hot prospect Zayas featured on Top Rank card; Herring coming out of retirement; Ohara Davies signs with GB; Valencia in critical condition; Quick hits; Show and tell
A note to Fight Freaks Unite readers: I created Fight Freaks Unite in January 2021 and eight months later it also became available for paid subscriptions for additional content — and as a way to help keep this newsletter going and for readers to support independent journalism. If you haven’t upgraded to a paid subscription please consider it. If you have already, I truly appreciate it! Also, consider a gift subscription for the Fight Freak in your life.
Japanese star Naoya Inoue has won world titles in three weight classes, boxed in four divisions and dominated virtually every one of his fights.
“The Monster” has knocked out one opponent after another, often thanks to his brutal body attack, which many view as the best in boxing, and gained wide acclaim as one of the top three fighters in the world pound-for-pound.
But weight classes were created for a reason, which Inoue acknowledged ahead of his move up to junior featherweight to challenge WBC/WBO titleholder Stephen Fulton, on Tuesday (ESPN+, 4:30 a.m. ET with main event at approximately 8 a.m. ET) at Ariake Arena in Tokyo in one of the best fights that could be made in boxing.
“I feel like after unifying the four (bantamweight) titles I felt like an undisputed champion, but there was already talk of fighting Fulton right away, so I was already looking ahead,” Inoue said in translated remarks. “From here it will be a real challenge. This is my fifth weight class, so I'm pushing the boundaries of my build, my limits. Even I don't know how it's going to go.
“It’s not as easy as people say — super bantam (also known as junior featherweight), featherweight. I am not underestimating it. But I do want to measure up to people's expectations. I'm being careful, and it is what I am facing.”
What Inoue is facing in Fulton (21-0, 8 KOs), 29, of Philadelphia, who will be making his third defense, is the consensus No. 1 fighter in the world at 122 pounds.
Inoue (24-0, 21 KOs), 30, who is 19-0 with 17 knockouts in world title bouts, has won titles at junior flyweight and junior bantamweight and in December became the first undisputed bantamweight champion in 50 years when he dominated and knocked out Paul Butler in the 11th round to win the WBO belt, the last one he needed for undisputed status.
Even before the fight, Inoue said it would be his last at 118 pounds and that he intended to move up in an effort to win a title in a fourth weight class.
“I honestly thought, ‘I don’t need a tune-up,’” Inoue said.
But for a fighter who began his career in the 108-pound division to now take on the best guy at 122 pounds is viewed as a daunting task, even if Inoue is the slight favorite.
“My impression is that he will use his feet the full 12 rounds. He strictly uses his boxing style and comes to win. But he also has a physical side too,” Inoue said. “He has the stamina to go all 12 rounds. He is definitely a powerful opponent is the impression I have. I don’t think I’ve ever fought an opponent like Fulton but, at the same time, Fulton can say that same for me. I think that’s what makes it interesting.
“I really don’t know what kind of fights this is going to be. I’m just going to do everything I can to win. If I get the chance, I’ll go for a knockout. And if it doesn’t go that way, I’ll just focus on keeping my boxing solid to get that win. I do think my boxing can win. No matter my style I just need to focus on winning.”
I will be in Las Vegas covering Spence-Crawford. Upgrade to a paid subscription and make sure you don’t miss any posts.
Listen and subscribe to the new podcast episode
Lopez defends vs. Gonzalez
After two big wins on the road, Mexico’s Luis Alberto Lopez will have a title fight in front of a friendly crowd.
Lopez will make his second IBF featherweight title defense against Joet Gonzalez on Sept. 15 (ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ESPN+, 10:30 p.m. ET) — the night before Mexican Independence Day — at American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, Top Rank announced on Monday, confirming last week’s Fight Freaks Unite report.
Top prospect Xander Zayas will face Roberto Valenzuela Jr. in the 10-round junior middleweight co-feature.
“Luis Alberto Lopez is one of Mexico’s emerging champions, and Joet Gonzalez is a seasoned pro who is a difficult night at the office for anyone,” Top Rank chairman Bob Arum said. “I am also pleased to see Puerto Rico’s next superstar, Xander Zayas, back in the ring against a step-up opponent in Valenzuela.”
Lopez was the mandatory challenger when he beat Josh Warrington by majority decision in his hometown of Leeds, England, in December. In his first defense, Lopez (28-2, 16 KOs), 29, knocked out Michael Conlan in the fifth round in May in his hometown of Belfast, Northern Ireland.
“We’re going to bring a memorable all-Mexican war to Corpus Christi on Mexican Independence Day Weekend,” Lopez said. “Nothing but respect to Joet, but he’s not leaving Texas with my belt. I guarantee an exciting fight, but the IBF world title will still be wrapped around my waist.”
Los Angeles’ Gonzalez (26-3, 15 KOs), 29, is getting a third title shot. He lost decisions for the WBO title to Shakur Stevenson in 2019 and Emanuel Navarrete in 2021, but has a history of being in action fights.
“I am thankful to Top Rank that I am receiving another shot at the world title. I plan on taking full advantage of this opportunity and fulfilling my dream,” Gonzalez said. “Lopez is an excellent champion, but I’m coming to Texas with every intention on hearing the words, ‘And new!’”
Zayas (16-0, 10 KOs), 20, of Sunrise, Florida, routed Ronald Cruz in an eight-round decision June 10 and will have his first scheduled 10-rounder against Valenzuela (21-4, 20 KOs), 24, of Mexico.
“I am excited for the next big step in my career against a Mexican warrior that I know will come prepared to give his best and will bring out the best in me,” Zayas said.
Top Rank also announced the rest of the undercard, which will stream on ESPN+:
Mexican welterweights Omar Aguilar (25-1, 24 KOs) and Julio Luna (20-1-2, 11 KOs) will meet in an eight-rounder.
Lightweight contender Jamaine Ortiz (16-1-1, 8 KOs), of Worcester, Massachusetts, will face an opponent to be named in a 10-rounder.
Former two-time junior lightweight title challenger and 2016 Brazilian Olympic gold medalist Robson Conceicao (17-2, 8 KOs) will box in an eight-rounder versus a foe to named.
Featherweight contender Ruben Villa (20-1, 7 KOs), a southpaw from Salinas, California, will face Colombia’s Brandon Valdes (15-3, 7 KOs) in an eight-rounder.
Cleveland junior welterweight Tiger Johnson (9-0, 5 KOs), a 2020 U.S. Olympian, will face an opponent to be determined in an eight-rounder.
Herring ending retirement
Former WBO junior lightweight titleholder Jamel Herring plans to end his retirement in September.
Herring, the captain of the 2012 U.S. Olympic team, posted to social media that he would be back this fall, although he will no longer be with longtime promoter Top Rank.
“Coming back in September,” Herring wrote. “Wayne McCullough will be in my corner… bet you didn’t see that coming.”
Northern Ireland’s McCullough, a 1992 Irish Olympic silver medalist, who has lived in Las Vegas for many years, held the WBC bantamweight title from 1995 to 1997 and also twice challenged for featherweight world titles.
Herring previously was trained by Brian McIntyre and part of the Terence Crawford camp.
Herring (23-4, 11 KOs), a southpaw from Coram, New York, outpointed Masayuki Ito to win the WBO 130-pound title in May 2019 and made three defenses, beating Lamont Roach and Jonathan Oquendo and knocking out Carl Frampton to send him into retirement in 2021. Later in 2021, Herring lost the belt by one-sided 10th-round knockout to Shakur Stevenson.
After that bout, Herring moved up to lightweight, lost a 10-round decision to unbeaten up-and-comer Jamaine Ortiz in May 2022 and retired.
Herring, who served in the U.S. Marines and is an Iraqi War veteran, added on social media that when he returns to the ring he will be back at junior lightweight.
Golden Boy signs Davies
Golden Boy announced on Monday that it has signed Ohara Davies, who is the mandatory challenger for WBA junior welterweight titlist Rolando Romero in a fight for which a purse bid looms.
“Golden Boy is up there with the biggest promotional companies in the world of boxing, so I’m over the moon to sign a promotional deal with them,” Davies said. “Also, to work with (Golden Boy CEO) Oscar De la Hoya, who was one of my childhood boxing heroes is great, and to be able to link up and win my first world title under him as my promoter is amazing.
“I’m going to be looking to make a statement and knock Rolly Romero out. From then on, I’ll be looking for the biggest names possible and being signed with Oscar De La Hoya, I believe they will deliver on that.”
De La Hoya was pleased to add a top contender to his stable.
“We are in the business of making world champions, and we will make Ohara Davies one of them under our promotional family,” De la Hoya said. “He has the grit, determination and bad blood against Romero to fuel him as he campaigns for the WBA world title very soon.”
Davies (25-2, 18 KOs), 31, of England, has won seven fights in a row since a decision loss to top contender Jack Catterall in 2018. He is coming off a ninth-round knockout of Lewis Ritson on March 4.
Valencia in critical condition
Junior lightweight Edy Valencia was in critical condition at a Southern California hospital after suffering a fifth-round knockout to George Acosta in their schedule eight-rounder on Friday night at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, where Thompson Boxing Promotions was putting on the final show of its 23-year existence before ceasing operations.
Acosta knocked Valencia down in the fourth round and the fight was stopped when he was unable to continue after the fifth round of the co-feature.
Valencia (20-12-6, 7 KOs), 32, a southpaw from Mexico, lost his third fight in a row and for the sixth time in seven fights but it was the first time he had ever been stopped.
“Thompson Boxing Promotions is deeply saddened to inform that boxer Edy Valencia is currently fighting for his life at a hospital in Ontario, California, following his bout with George Acosta,” Thompson Boxing promoter Alex Camponovo said in a statement. “At this moment, we kindly ask the boxing community, fans, and everyone touched by Edy’s journey to join us in offering prayers and positive energy for his swift and full recovery.
“We believe in the power of collective support and strength, and together, we hope to see Edy Valencia pull through this trying ordeal.”
Quick hits
Weights from Tokyo for Tuesday’s card (ESPN+ in U.S. at 4:30 a.m. ET, main event approximately 8 a.m. ET): Stephen Fulton 121.9 pounds, Naoya Inoue 121.7 (for Fulton's WBC/WBO junior featherweight title); Robeisy Ramirez 125.7, Satoshi Shimizu 1257 (for Ramirez's WBO featherweight title); Kanamu Sakama 107.5, Ryu Horikawa 107.8; Yoshiki Takei 118.8, Ronnie Baldonado 117.5.
Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions announced on Monday that it has signed Junior Olympic boxer Javon “Wanna” Walton, 17, of Atlanta, who is also an actor best known for his role as Ashtray on the HBO series “Euphoria.” Walton, a featherweight with over 80 amateur bouts, has more than 13 million followers on his various social media platforms. Walton plans to turn pro in 2024. “I’ve been training so hard and working for the majority of my life for this moment,” Walton said. “MVP feels like family and that’s very important to me. I know they can help me reach my goals in professional boxing and do it in a way that feels special to me.”
Welterweight Raul Curiel (12-0, 10 KOs), 27, a 2016 Mexican Olympian, will defend his regional belt versus Courtney Pennington (17-6-3, 7 KOs), 36, of Brooklyn, New York, in the 10-round main event of Golden Boy’s next “Fight Night” card on Sept. 7 (DAZN) at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California, Golden Boy announced. In the co-feature, junior featherweight Manuel Flores (15-1, 11 KOs), 24, a southpaw and popular draw from Coachella, California, will face a foe to be named in a 10-rounder. He is coming off his first defeat, a one-sided upset decision to Walter Santibanes on June 8, also at Fantasy Springs.
PBC announced on Monday that it will have the Errol Spence Jr.-Terrence Crawford undisputed welterweight championship card available via closed circuit in Las Vegas with tickets available through AXS. While the card will take place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday (Showtime PPV and PPV.com, 8 p.m. ET), the closed circuit location is a short walk away at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Show and tell
For the late, great Hall of Famer Arturo Gatti’s first fight after his epic trilogy with Micky Ward, my all-time favorite fighter outpointed Gianluca Branco in a tough fight to win the vacant WBC junior welterweight title. For his first defense, Gatti was matched with all-action former lightweight titleholder Leonard Dorin in an HBO main event at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, that most thought would be highly entertaining. But Gatti, the bigger man, finally had an easy night at the office for a change. In a fight I was ringside to cover, Gatti retained the title by blasting out the usually durable Dorin in the second round. Gatti dropped him for the count with a left hook to the body. It was the only loss of Dorin’s career and he never fought again. The fight was on July 24, 2004 — 19 years ago on Monday. Here is an exceptionally rare cardboard site poster that was displayed at host hotel Caesars Atlantic City during fight week.
A note to subscribers
I sincerely appreciate your readership. If you’re reading, it means you love boxing just like I do. If you’ve been reading you also know the quality and quantity of what I produce. It’s one-stop shopping. Read the newsletters and there is no need to search multiple websites or click a multitude of links to get the latest news, opinion and detailed fight schedule. Everything you need is in one spot and delivered directly to your inbox (or via phone alert if you download for free the superb Substack app). You don’t have to hunt for the news; it comes to you.
I believe that is worth something, so while I will continue providing stories, notes and the schedule for free, I encourage you to upgrade to a paid subscription for the most content. A paid subscription is your way of keeping this reader-supported newsletter going and supporting independent journalism. I am beholden to no network, promoter, manager, sanctioning body or fighter. If you have read my work at all during the past 23 years I’ve covered professional boxing you know that I keep it real and that will not change.
To upgrade your subscription please go here:
Thank you so much for your support of Fight Freaks Unite!
Photos: Fulton-Inoue and Ramirez-Shimizu: Naoki Fukuda; Herring: Mikey Williams/Top Rank; Valencia: Thompson Boxing
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danrafael1/
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanRafael1
Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DanRafaelBoxing
