Former World Lightweight Champion Anthony Crolla takes a look the elite skill and frightening power of Naoya Inoue and more action coming up.
There was another victory earlier this week for the seemingly unstoppable force that is Naoya Inoue – and it raises the question, where is he in the pound-for-pound list?
‘The Monster’ was warming into his task when injury ended the contest against the very tough Irishman TJ Doheny. I thought TJ did well, but it was always a matter of time. He had a little bit more success than I thought, and he showed why he got this shot and how he has been enjoying a real Indian summer. He had some great wins – in Japan – that led to this shot, and he by no means disgraced himself. It’s just unfortunate his injury forced him out, but again, I think the end was coming in any case.
That said, Doheny can go away now, and if Inoue keeps moving up in the weights, he could have another fight and get himself back in the frame for another world title shot at super-bantamweight.
The legend that is promoter Bob Arum got in the ring after the fight and said they’d be taking the Inoue show to Vegas next year – and it’s about time he was really opened up to the American market. And don’t be surprised if we see him in Saudi fairly soon as well.
I think just about every boxing fan would put Naoya Inoue in the top of three of the world’s best pound-for-pound fighters, along with Terence Crawford and Oleksandr Usyk. You could make a case for all three being number one. My personal preference is Crawford, but I couldn’t argue with any order you put those three in.
On UK shores, there’s a really interesting Queensberry card this weekend at London’s York Hall. Sam Naokes is in against veteran Gianluca Ceglia. Last time out, Sam went the distance for the first time in his career, but I think he’ll be back to another stoppage victory in this one. He is extremely physically strong, and I expect him to break the Italian down just after the halfway stage.
There are two top talents on the bill as well. I really like Steven Cairns who I’ve had in my gym for sparring. He looked great last time out in his last fight in Belfast, and they’ll be looking to move him on quickly now.Same can be said for Luke McCormack who I’m sure they’ll be moving very quickly. He’s had a few issues that have delayed him a bit, but he’s one of the best amateur talents the country has produced in recent times and I’m sure it won’t be too long before he’s mixing in title class.
Elsewhere, and while we’ve touched on pound-for-pound lists, next weekend will see Canelo back in the ring when he takes on Edgar Berlanga. It’ll be very fan-friendly for the first three or four rounds. Berlanga carries serious power – he had that record for consecutive first round victories – but I just see Canelo being far too defensively cute for him. I’ve watched him up close and while everyone goes on about his power, what impressed me most was his defence on the front foot.
Canelo hasn’t had a stoppage for a while, but I think with the Mexican/Puerto Rican rivalry, he might be more aggressive than normal, and I think he’ll get the stoppage between rounds seven and nine.
Finally, it’s a relief that my brother William was officially announced on the undercard for Catterall v Prograis in Manchester on October 26. The card has been pushed back two months, so it has been a frustrating time. William was on a nice little run of four consecutive stoppages, but it’s just one of those unfortunate things, so hopefully he’ll go out there and show what he’s been learning in the gym.
Anthony Crolla is a brand ambassador for the betting site, Free Bets.
