Above: Our panel was split on the outcome of a junior featherweight battle between Naoya Inoue and Erik Morales.
THREE CELEBRATED MATCHMAKERS PREDICT THE OUTCOMES OF FANTASY FIGHTS PITTING POUND-FOR-POUND MONSTER NAOYA INOUE AGAINST A DOZEN HALL OF FAMERS
Four-weight world champion Naoya Inoue has been virtually flawless, thus far, in a career that has spanned 27 fights over a 12-year period. As a result, the Japanese superstar is now one of his country’s biggest sporting idols, as evidenced by the 40,000 people who recently flocked to the Tokyo Dome to watch him get off the canvas (that wasn’t in the script) before taking apart the very capable Luis Nery in six rounds.
Inoue made his debut in 2012. Just 10 months later, in his fourth fight, he bested future Ring/IBF/WBA champion Ryoichi Taguchi (UD 10) to win the junior flyweight national title. In his next outing, he claimed the vacant OPBF belt.
In no mood to remain at regional level, Inoue then won his first world title by blasting out Mexico’s Adrian Hernandez (TKO 6) for the WBC strap. His coronation came just 18 months after his professional debut.
Eighth pro fight, second world title, a two-round beatdown of a legend who had never been stopped — these facts made Naoya Inoue’s victory against Omar Narvaez in 2014 a wakeup call for boxing fans. (Asahi Shimbum/Getty Images)
After just one successful defense, he made the somewhat daring move to jump the flyweight division, and in his first fight faced the vastly more experienced two-division titleholder Omar Narvaez. The Argentine fighter was a two-time Olympian and had 46 fights, compared to Inoue’s seven. He had never been stopped – his only loss was to Nonito Donaire – and he was taking part in his 31st world title fight. Inoue duly dropped him four times en route to an eye-opening second-round stoppage. The secret was starting to get out.
Inoue made seven defenses, six inside the distance, before heading up to bantamweight, where he stepped things up again.
At his new weight, he flattened the capable Jamie McDonnell (KO 1) and followed that with an equally impressive win over former titleholder Juan Carlos Payano (KO 1) in the opening round of the World Boxing Super Series.
Next, he took out Emmanuel Rodriguez (KO 2) to claim the Ring and IBF titles and advance to the WBSS final, where he was met by Donaire, who held the WBA belt. It proved to be a defining moment for Inoue, who had to hold off a strong challenge from the rejuvenated future Hall of Famer. Inoue won by 12-round unanimous decision and the fight was subsequently named The Ring’s 2019 Fight of The Year.
The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic meant Inoue didn’t fight for almost a year, but he returned as impressive as ever with three more title defenses before adding the WBC belt by stopping Donaire (TKO 2) in a rematch. He then became the undisputed champion by defeating Paul Butler (KO 11) for the WBO title in December 2022.
With nothing left to achieve at bantamweight, Inoue headed four pounds north to junior featherweight, where he once again showed himself to be a generational star by trouncing the well-regarded WBC/WBO ruler Stephen Fulton (TKO 8) and IBF/WBA titlist Marlon Tapales (KO 10) to become the undisputed champion in a second weight class. Those wins helped Inoue win 2023 Fighter of The Year honors from The Ring and the Boxing Writers Association of American, as well as the prestigious Japanese Boxing Commission and Sportswriters Club, which bestowed the award on him for the sixth consecutive year and seventh time in total.
After the victory over Nery, who is himself a former two-weight beltholder, Inoue is tabbed to return in September and possibly December. He has been linked to IBF mandatory Sam Goodman for the second fight, but the first shot will go to Australia-based Irishman TJ Doheny. If “The Monster” beats both of those fighters, as expected, he would hold wins over all of the current top 5-rated junior featherweights in The Ring’s ratings.
However, for all of Inoue’s accolades, he has never been in with a Hall of Famer in their prime. We decided to enlist the services of reputed matchmakers Eric Bottjer, Robert Diaz and Joe Rotonda to discuss mythical matchups with 12 current or future Hall of Famers and see how they feel Inoue would have done against them.
We’ll never know for certain, but it’s fun to debate. Here’s how they thought the matches would play out.
INOUE vs. JEFF FENECH: Junior featherweight
The all-action frenetic pace that Fenech brought to a fight saw him win world titles at 118, 122 and 126 pounds, and he can feel aggrieved that he didn’t get the decision in his first fight with the legendary Azumah Nelson in a title bout up at 130 pounds. Could the Australian have taken Inoue out of his comfort zone and forced him into a shootout?
An undefeated Jeff Fenech stopped Victor Callejas to win a featherweight title in 1988, which followed the Australian great’s title reign at 122 pounds. (Photo by Miller/Sydney Morning Herald/Fairfax Media via Getty Images)
Eric Bottjer: “Bad fight for Fenech, who I am a huge fan of. Jeff’s strengths were his incredible drive and self-belief. A mauler, not a puncher, Fenech would try to crowd Inoue and impose his will. Inoue has the skill to deal with that style and the speed and power to slow Fenech’s attacks. He stops Fenech in the latter part of the fight.”
Roberto Diaz: “Fenech was very strong, very aggressive and very durable but didn’t possess the speed to slow down The Monster. The referee stops the fight on cuts in the 10th.”
Joe Rotonda: “Interesting matchup here. Jeff Fenech is a pressure fighter, constantly coming forward and breaking the will of his opponents. Inoue breaks the will of his opponents with his power; he has a different level of torque in his punches that very few of his opponents have been able to withstand. I think that as entertaining of a fight as this would be, I believe Fenech will walk right into Inoue’s power, ultimately leading to a stoppage win for The Monster at the halfway point of the bout.”
INOUE: 3-0
INOUE vs. WILFREDO GOMEZ: Junior featherweight
Gomez was a fantastic boxer, but it was his power that further helped separate him from the competition at 122 pounds. He later added belts at featherweight and junior lightweight, but it was at junior featherweight that he was truly special. “Bazooka” lived up to his nickname while making 17 defenses of his WBC title, scoring knockout victories in each one. The Puerto Rican never lost at the weight and is widely regarded as the best 122-pounder in history. This would have been a fascinating matchup in which neither fighter could afford to make a mistake.
Wilfredo Gomez (right) pounded out a fifth-round stoppage of Derrik Holmes in 1980 to win the WBC junior featherweight title. (Photo by The Ring Magazine/Getty Images)
Eric Bottjer: “I like Gomez because he not only was a superior boxer (and a highly decorated amateur), he’s the puncher here. Like Inoue, Gomez is an all-time great.”
Roberto Diaz: “Inoue is very aware of the power of Gomez, and although a monster puncher himself, Wilfredo could box and box beautifully, if he wanted. Inoue would feel Gomez’s power early and move patiently on the outside, picking his shots and conserving for the later rounds. Inoue by 12-round unanimous decision.”
Joe Rotonda: “This, in my opinion, is one of the toughest fights stylistically for Naoya Inoue. Wilfredo Gomez has ridiculous power and fights you like you stole something from him. It was always impressive how good Wilfredo is at fighting tall. He keeps a perfect distance from his opponents and has one of the most devastating right hands of all time. Lucky for Inoue, he can match his opponent’s speed and power, and I think he would find success countering Gomez at points throughout the fight. This bout couldn’t be more of a toss-up, in my opinion. I think the first fighter to hurt their opponent here will turn it up a notch and finish the fight, and I think that fighter will be Wilfredo Gomez.”
GOMEZ: 2-1
Read Best I Faced: Wilfredo Gomez on RingTV
INOUE vs. MARCO ANTONIO BARRERA: Junior featherweight
Barrera wasn’t able to secure a world title shot at 115 or 118 and had to go to 122 pounds for that opportunity. It was one he made the most of, and he made 10 defenses before coming unstuck against Junior Jones. At junior featherweight, Barrera was an attack-minded fighter and a savage body-puncher. It wasn’t until later in his career that he evolved into a more rounded technician up at featherweight, where he won the Ring championship by beating Erik Morales, and junior lightweight, where he held two world titles.
Barrera defended his WBO junior featherweight title for the fifth time by by winning a shootout against Kennedy McKinney with a final-round stoppage in 1996. (Photo: Getty Images)
Eric Bottjer: “Great fight. This Barrera was more aggressive and took more chances. I like Inoue.”
Roberto Diaz: “As many know, Barrera was one of my favorite fighters. Very dominant. And people sometimes forget that Marco could box on the outside very well with an underrated jab. When Marco was at his best, he was hard to beat – you can ask Prince Naseem that. Marco would be very disciplined coming into the fight, but once caught and hurt he would go for the KO and make it a war. Inoue, who is so precise with his punch placement, would invite the trading. The fans are on their feet enjoying a classic. Inoue’s corner stops the fight in the 10th round. Barrera has shocked the world once again!”
Joe Rotonda: “Fascinating matchup here, both guys super-explosive and fearless in the ring. Throughout Barrera’s career, he has shown a tremendous ability to fight fire with fire. Although Barrera will come in the naturally bigger of the two, I think the speed of Inoue will be the difference. As long as he doesn’t try to sit in the pocket with Barrera, he can capitalize on his speed and eventually cruise to an incredibly entertaining and hard-fought decision win.”
INOUE: 2-1
INOUE vs. ERIK MORALES: Junior featherweight
The fighting pride of Tijuana was big for junior featherweight and enjoyed further success at featherweight, junior lightweight and even up at junior welterweight, but it was at 122 pounds that he made a name for himself. With a fierce fighting will and big right hand, he would have gone after Inoue and forced him to fight in one for the ages.
The epic rivalry between Erik Morales (right) and Marco Antonio Barrera began with Morales unifying the WBC and WBO 122-pound titles in the year 2000. (Photo by John Gurzinski/AFP via Getty Images)
Eric Bottjer: “Another great fight. Morales presents different puzzles to Inoue than Barrera, but I think Morales is too basic for Inoue at 122. I like Inoue.”
Roberto Diaz: “Styles make fights, and I believe that Erik Morales at his best would have given Inoue a lot of trouble. Erik had power, could box and changed up his speeds very well. I believe like the first fight vs. Pacquiao, he would have slowed the pace and dominated Inoue. Morales UD 12.”
Joe Rotonda: “Impossible for this fight not to be action-packed, most likely both fighters ending up on the canvas at some point during the bout. Inoue’s speed, power and accuracy are second to none. Morales, on the other hand, has an incredible ability to overwhelm his opponents, has a granite chin, and in this fight will have a significant reach advantage. I think the range of Morales combined with the speed and high volume of punches will pose problems for The Monster in this one. It will be a close fight with non-stop action, but Morales will use his reach and explosiveness to land the cleaner shots throughout the night and earn himself a decision win.”
MORALES: 2-1
INOUE vs. MANNY PACQUIAO: Junior featherweight
Pacquiao won a world title at flyweight before jumping two entire divisions to stunningly win a world title at junior featherweight as a late substitute against Lehlo Ledwaba. Of course, after establishing himself, he grew into a featherweight, junior lightweight and briefly fought at lightweight and junior welterweight before becoming an elite welterweight – and even won a world title at junior middleweight. However, while he grew into one of the very best fighters of the modern era, in his days at 122 pounds, he was less refined and relied mostly on the unique power his left hand possessed. These may be the two best Asian fighters of all time.
Manny Pacquiao’s rise to megastardom became an unstoppable force with his six-round domination of IBF 122-pound titleholder Lehlo Ledwaba in 2001. (Photo by Jeff Gross/ALLSPORT)
Eric Bottjer: “50/50 fight. The Pacquiao that destroyed Ledwaba at 122 was like an inevitable storm. This fight result is simply who has the better night.”
Roberto Diaz: “Wow, talk about a fight of speed! Manny overwhelmed his opponents by throwing so many punches, and Manny’s footwork in and out was amazing. This would have been an amazing fight where they would trade flash knockdowns. Draw 12.”
Joe Rotonda: “Both of these fighters are so explosive, incredibly fast and dangerous in so many ways. Inoue has power in both hands, he’s a devastating counterpuncher, and anyone that stands toe-to-toe and trades shots with him almost always ends up on the canvas. Pacquaio has been in with so many big punchers throughout his career – Marquez, Barrera, Cotto, etc. I think the power that The Monster brings to the table is different, but I also think Manny Pacquaio’s elusiveness is something that could cause problems for his opponent here. When Mike Tyson was in his prime, people used to say that some of his opponents were so terrified that they lost before the bell even rang, and I think that applies to some of Inoue’s opponents too. However, Manny won’t be one of those guys; he has seen it all, and because of that I think he gets past Inoue en route to a super-tough decision win.”
PACQUIAO: 1-0-1, 1 Undecided
Manny Pacquiao special edition of The Ring, with forward by Larry Merchant
INOUE vs. FIGHTING HARADA: Bantamweight
Harada won Ring and WBA titles in the flyweight division and further excelled when he bested the legendary Eder Jofre to become the Ring/WBA/WBC champion at bantamweight. He was unlucky not to get the decision against world titleholder Johnny Famechon when he ventured up to featherweight. Harada would need the same type of performance he displayed against Jofre to have a chance of upsetting his countryman. If Inoue isn’t the best Japanese fighter of all time, then Harada is.
Fighting Harada (right) bested Eder Jofre twice in bantamweight title fights. (Photo by The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images)
Eric Bottjer: “Terrific match. Inoue is simply a half-level better, but I see this as an intriguing fight, perhaps going the (proper) 15-round distance.”
Roberto Diaz: “Wow! Imagine the Civil War. Fighting Harada was very aggressive and a non-stop machine. Inoue is so precise. Timing beats speed. It’s a great fight while it lasts. I see Inoue stopping Fighting Harada around the ninth round.”
Joe Rotonda: “This is such a tough fight for both men. Harada is a problem for anyone you want to put him in with. He has great speed, very good combinations, and has relentless body-work. If he is able to keep moving for 12 rounds and stay away from Inoue’s power, then he could end up getting out of this with a decision win. However, steering clear of Inoue’s shots is a difficult task and one that I don’t think Harada will be able to do for the duration of the bout. I think Inoue’s counterpunching will be the difference here; he will catch Harada at some point and ultimately shift the momentum of the fight in his favor. TKO for Inoue.”
INOUE: 3-0
Read Fighting Harada: Greatest Hits in the July 2022 issue of The Ring
INOUE vs. EDER JOFRE: Bantamweight
Although Brazil isn’t renowned for boxing, make no mistake: Jofre was special – arguably the greatest bantamweight of all time. He could box and punch in equal measure. He took off three years after losing a rematch with Harada and returned at featherweight, where he enjoyed further success.
Eder Jofre (right) defeated Mexico’s Eloy Sanchez by knockout in 1960 to seize the NBA bantamweight title. (Photo: Getty Images)
Eric Bottjer: “I’ve said Inoue is the best bantamweight who’s ever lived. But this is the one fight at 118 pounds where he’s in danger. If you argue that Jofre is your all-time best, I’ll disagree, but I’d respect your choice. Jofre is so far in the past that few in this generation even know him, much less know his skill set. But he could win this fight. This is Inoue’s greatest challenge at 118 pounds. It’s a coin flip – both guys will show the other things they’ve never seen before. I’ll take Jofre’s superior boxing skills over Inoue’s superior power.”
Roberto Diaz: “Eder Jofre had a paralyzing left hook and great conditioning. This would have been a great fight, and Inoue would have been very wary of his power and worked at a distance while Jofre would be relentless and trying to cut the distance. Overall, a close fight that goes to the cards. Inoue, 12-round unanimous decision.”
Joe Rotonda: “Eder Jofre is arguably one of the best boxers to ever come out of Brazil and a dominant bantamweight, to say the least. He was never the fastest or strongest fighter in the world, but he is good enough at everything and puts it together effectively. Inoue will come into this bout being just slightly taller and also possessing a slight reach advantage. I think that Inoue not being undersized in this bout means everything; Eder will not be able to bully The Monster and in my opinion doesn’t possess the torque in his shots to earn his respect. I think Inoue earns himself a stoppage win late in the fight.”
INOUE: 2-1
INOUE vs. RUBEN OLIVARES: Bantamweight
Olivares was a devastating puncher to head and body and was famed for his left hook to the liver. He is one of Mexico’s best fighters, claiming the Ring championship and two titles at bantamweight as well as holding a title at featherweight twice.
In their third meeting, in April 1971, Ruben Olivares (right) would take back the pair of bantamweight titles he lost to Chucho Castillo. (Photo: AP)
Eric Bottjer: “A slugfest that ends with Ruben on his back. Fun fight. Brutal ending.”
Roberto Diaz: “Rockabye Ruben was a tremendous puncher and a great in one of the best era’s. I am sorry to say, he would have tried to swarm Inoue and got caught coming in and knocked out. Inoue KO 7.”
Joe Rotonda: “This is one of those fights that can end at any moment, two huge punchers that can change the direction of a bout with just one shot. Both guys are excellent counter punchers and both mix it up well with their combinations. Due to the power that both men possess, this is a true toss up in regards to who comes out victorious. I have to give the slight edge to Inoue though, I think he will have a speed advantage, and also I think he is a little better technically. I can see a stoppage win for Inoue in a fight where both guys end up on the canvas at some point.”
INOUE: 3-0
INOUE vs. CARLOS ZARATE: Bantamweight
Zarate was unusually tall for a bantamweight, at 5-foot-8, and he used his wingspan to great effect, ruling the division with an iron fist in the mid-to-late 1970s. The Mexico City native was a fantastic puncher at 118 pounds, and that would present a huge danger for Inoue.
Carlos Zarate notched the sixth defense of his WBC bantamweight title with an eighth-round stoppage of Alberto Davila in 1978. (Photo: Getty Images)
Eric Bottjer: “Like Morales, a basic (yes great, but basic) guy. Inoue’s too much for him.”
Roberto Diaz: “Zarate is probably the biggest puncher in history in the smaller weight classes – what a beautiful left hook. If he catches Inoue, especially to the body, he may stop The Monster. What a great fight this would have been, back and forth action. Finally, someone can neutralize Inoue’s speed with power. We have a draw!”
Joe Rotonda: “Interesting fight between two incredible fighters. Carlos Zarate is a true throwback. If it was up to him, he would probably fight every weekend. He applies pressure on his opponents and can fight on the inside and also pick his opponents apart with his jab. I think one of the biggest differences coming into this bout is going to be speed, which in my opinion will put The Monster at a major advantage. It won’t be easy, but Inoue should be able to capitalize on his speed and power and put the legend out at some point late in the fight.”
INOUE: 2-0-1
Read Carlos Zarate: Greatest Hits in the November 2021 issue of The Ring
INOUE vs. JUAN FRANCISCO ESTRADA: Junior bantamweight
Estrada came from nowhere to give Roman Gonzalez a tough fight in his coming-out party in 2012, then went on to rule at flyweight and junior bantamweight during its golden age. “El Gallo” has a smart boxing brain, good skills and power – a very well-rounded fighter.
In the second defense of his Ring Magazine and WBC junior bantamweight titles, Juan Francisco Estrada became the first (and still only) man to stop Carlos Cuadras inside the distance. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Matchroon)
Eric Bottjer: “The Mexican mirror of Chocolatito – a slightly more cerebral, less passionate Roman Gonzalez. Estrada makes it interesting but not exciting, and he never threatens to win vs. Inoue.”
Roberto Diaz: “Estrada has proven himself as a force in the smaller weight class and has been very durable and dominant. However, as good as he is and has been, I don’t see what he has that would have troubled Inoue. I believe the speed and power Inoue has shown would have been too much for Estrada. Inoue TKO 9, Estrada’s corner stops it.”
Joe Rotonda: “Juan Francisco Estrada is an incredibly slick fighter, moves really well and has quick hands. Inoue will have his hands full in this one; it will be challenging and also exhausting keeping up with Estrada. Inoue will have to be super aggressive in this one, walk him down throughout the fight and rip the body in hope of slowing him down in the later rounds. I think Estrada will have success early on in the fight, but it will be Inoue who eventually wears him down in the championship rounds, picking up a decision win.”
INOUE: 3-0
INOUE vs. ROMAN GONZALEZ: Junior bantamweight
The celebrated Nicaraguan has won world titles in every division from 105-115 and made four defenses of the Ring championship at flyweight. He is undersized as a junior bantamweight but anything but underskilled; he has an excellent work rate, impressive footwork and good power.
In 2020, Roman Gonzalez finished Khalid Yafai in the ninth round of their junior bantamweight fight. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Matchroom Boxing USA)
Eric Bottjer: “I think Chocolatito (the BEST ever from Nicaragua, and I know that’s saying a lot) brings out the best of Inoue and they produce a classic. Inoue is just a shade too much.”
Roberto Diaz: “Chocolatito Gonzalez is someone very special and a tremendous fighter, at his best a true master. This fight would have been historic between the son of Japan, Inoue, vs. the adopted son of Japan in Chocolatito. Both are destined to be Hall of Fame fighters, but once again, size and speed dominate. Inoue KO 11.”
Joe Rotonda: “Big fan of both fighters here. Chocolatito has fought everyone and has always been a true professional. I think he will come in with a speed advantage that he will do his best to capitalize on. He needs to throw combinations and keep moving, stay away from Inoue’s power. Although Gonzalez has seen every style in his 55-fight career, he has not faced someone with the power that his opponent possesses. And I don’t think Inoue has faced someone with such a high work rate in the ring as Chocolatito. I think the big difference here will actually be the slight height and reach advantage for Inoue. He’ll have an easier time in creating distance and setting up his shots, and I think his power will be too much for the smaller fighter in this one. I think we see a late stoppage win for Inoue.”
INOUE: 3-0
INOUE vs. MARK JOHNSON: Junior bantamweight
In his prime, “Too Sharp” Johnson was a sight to behold. Something of a mini Roy Jones Jr., he was blessed with otherworldly speed and power, a deadly combination that saw many of the top fighters of his era avoid him like the plague. He still won world titles at 112 and 115, though.
Mark Johnson’s first stint as a junior bantamweight titleholder began with a unanimous decision victory against Ratanachai Sor Vorapin (left) in April 1999. (Photo: Getty Images)
Eric Bottjer: “I hate to pick against Mark, who’s the best flyweight I’ve ever seen live. But Inoue is simply more of ‘the future’ here. Evolution wins this match.”
Roberto Diaz: “Mark was amazing to watch, and few match his skill. One of the best smaller men in the history of boxing. Truly a great matchup, and it would come down to Inoue surprising Mark with a couple knockdowns en route to a clear victory. Inoue, 12-round unanimous decision.”
Joe Rotonda: “Mark Johnson is an extraordinary talent, so elusive in the ring and strong both offensively and defensively. This, in my opinion, is the toughest test of Inoue’s career. Inoue very well could be the biggest puncher that Mark has ever faced, and Mark is probably the most skilled fighter that The Monster has seen as well. I always thought there were times when Mark would take unnecessary shots from his opponents, but in this one he cannot afford to do that. Mark is elusive enough in the ring and his defense is incredible; I think he can earn himself a decision win here if he is on top of his game, which I believe he will be.”
INOUE: 2-1
RESULTS:
(Inoue win)-(Hall of Famer win)-(Draw)
BOTTJER: 9-2 with 1 undecided DIAZ: 8-2-2 ROTONDA: 8-4
Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at [email protected].
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