The Monster Inoue was in solid form at the Tokyo Dome at the weekend and showed his class in the fight against Junto Nakatani.
Opting for a more cautious, measured boxing approach this time.
Different from before where he has on occasion being far more aggressive and of course got caught by shots he should not have due to this over aggression.
He went for the boxing approach this time and he deserved to get the nod but it was close and Nakatani did well in there with him at times with his jab and connecting with some solid shots.
His footwork appeared to be key in keeping the distance where he wanted Nakatani. Nakatani even though he was moving up in weight looked to have maybe the same or even a slightly more of a reach than Inoue.
Whatever the number was on reach there couldn’t have been much in it but it was Inoue’s distance control that looked to be a difference.
The head clash was fortunate for him later in the fight that caused the cut for Nakatani which caused him to not have the best end to the fight.
That said, The Monster Inoue deserved his win and deserves credit for boxing to more of a game plan this time with the better caliber of opponent, a champion, in Nakatani.
This is another string to his bow that hasn’t always being shown, he is usually more all out guns blazing but to put together a solid and disciplined boxing display on such an occasion at the Tokyo Dome, with 55,000 fans in attendance some jeering him others cheering him, showed some maturity in his boxing.
Could he move up in weight next though and is the weight starting to be a hindrance to him at the moment. He is always very gaunt at the weigh-ins lately and with talk of a fight with Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez, maybe he’ll look to move up in weight for the big fights next.
Who knows what will happen with The Monster Inoue this year in fights but at the weekend he did well and for us deserves to be at least for now, pound for pound best boxer on Earth.
Regardless of weight division.
