I think Inoue is a credit to the sport and the FOTY. Haney and Bud close behind. Two things though. Tapales was the worst unified champ I've seen since Julius Indongo. Yes he was tough. But so basic. Stood in front of Inoue like a human punching bag. And that leads to the other thing. In spite of repeatedly hitting Tapales flush, over and over. Inoue struggled to finally get the KO. In fact you can see a bit of frustration in Inoue's body language late in the fight. Yes, Inoue eventually got the stoppage. But I think big picture, Inoue may run into his own Bivol/Canelo scenario at Featherweight. I'm speculating he's not going to have enough power to physically dominate that division. Heck, that upcoming fight with the rugged Luis Nery is actually interesting now.
I can’t see Inoue at lightweight Nathan I think the weight would be too much for him to carry and will his power go with him it would be a good matchup but it won’t happen in my opinion
Fair but same was said about Manny and I feel the loma fight is winnable because he's really a 130 pounder. Inoue is crushing people rarely losing a round, that fight he likely wouldn't be favored in and that's exciting to me.
If loma beats kambosos for ibf lightweight belt let's see loma vs inoue for ibf 135 late next year. Loma is (imo) on the slide a bit and is also a smaller lightweight. It would be a fantastic fight and inoue if victorious could always drop back down afterwards to 130/126.
I think Inoue is a credit to the sport and the FOTY. Haney and Bud close behind. Two things though. Tapales was the worst unified champ I've seen since Julius Indongo. Yes he was tough. But so basic. Stood in front of Inoue like a human punching bag. And that leads to the other thing. In spite of repeatedly hitting Tapales flush, over and over. Inoue struggled to finally get the KO. In fact you can see a bit of frustration in Inoue's body language late in the fight. Yes, Inoue eventually got the stoppage. But I think big picture, Inoue may run into his own Bivol/Canelo scenario at Featherweight. I'm speculating he's not going to have enough power to physically dominate that division. Heck, that upcoming fight with the rugged Luis Nery is actually interesting now.
I can’t see Inoue at lightweight Nathan I think the weight would be too much for him to carry and will his power go with him it would be a good matchup but it won’t happen in my opinion
Fair but same was said about Manny and I feel the loma fight is winnable because he's really a 130 pounder. Inoue is crushing people rarely losing a round, that fight he likely wouldn't be favored in and that's exciting to me.
If loma beats kambosos for ibf lightweight belt let's see loma vs inoue for ibf 135 late next year. Loma is (imo) on the slide a bit and is also a smaller lightweight. It would be a fantastic fight and inoue if victorious could always drop back down afterwards to 130/126.