Probox TV analyst Shawn Porter’s recent comments about Naoya Inoue, that the Japanese star needs to conquer America to become a global superstar, have been heavily criticized.
There’s an age-old debate about whether a fighter needs to crush America to get big, but as it stands, Inoue is huge in Japan and highly regarded around the world.
The 31-year-old Inoue (26-0, 23 KOs), also known as “The Monster,” will face Mexico’s Luis Neri on May 6 at the Tokyo Dome in front of a crowd of 55,000, but he has already received a lot of attention. He’s the best fighter in the game for anyone. He’s definitely in the top two in this sport along with Terrence Crawford.
Top Rank Vice President Todd DuBoff strongly disagreed. Porter’s commentsaid Inoue is not only probably the greatest fighter he’s ever seen, but is already an icon.
“I don’t agree with it at all, but that’s his opinion,” DuBoff said of Porter’s comments. “It’s selfish, but I would love to have it.” [Inoue] In the United States. he is a genius I said this: I think he’s the best fighter I’ve seen in 30 years…the perfect fighter, because I like the aggressive style, the power in both hands, the IQ, the defense, the offense. That’s why. he’ll do anything.
“But he’s also in a market that supports him very much. He doesn’t need to go to America. [For Manny] Pacquiao, the Philippines is a resource-starved economy. Japan has a fully developed economy, large stadiums and large media platforms.
“[Shohei] Otani had to go [Major League Baseball] Because it was the most fulfilling and best place to play baseball, right? Japan didn’t have the best place for him to grow as a baseball player. he had to go there. Mr. Inoue can name his place.He can do it in Japan, he can do it in America, he can go to Wembley. [Stadium in London] To do that. “
But for now, Inoue is on track to break even more records in Japan, starting next month against Neri at Tokyo Dome.
“I think it will exceed [Mike] Tyson and [Buster] “The Douglas fight was the biggest boxing event of all time in the history of this country,” DuBeauf said of Inoue vs. Nery. “He’s a genius. Should we take him far? [home]?He’s a gift to the country, right? Does he need to travel to appeal to other countries? It’s a bit narcissistic to say, “He needs to come to America to become a star.” That’s kind of bull***, right? I wish I hadn’t seen that, and I’m grateful. ”
Matchroom brought Anthony Joshua to America to fight Jarrell Miller in 2019, but when Miller tested positive for PEDs, Andy Ruiz intervened and brought Anthony Joshua to New York’s Madison Square Stadium. I knocked Joshua unconscious in the garden. Joshua has not boxed in the United States since then.Joshua tried to make it big in America, then boxed in Saudi Arabia before returning to England.
“I think we all have a vision. If you look at the black and white photo of the Beatles getting off a plane, they had to come to America to make it, the Rolling Stones…came to America to make it, and Levi Jeans… ”Dubov added.
“I think that’s a very shallow perspective in today’s world. I don’t think it’s necessary to be in America. I think the world has become very flat today and we’re very connected. When… [inoue] In fights, he is trending globally on all platforms as the number one thing happening at that moment. He resonates. We can send the signal live and everyone can see it. So I think it’s a little selfish to think he has to fight in America to become a superstar.
“For our purposes, I want to love him in America! I want to bring that little gem as close to home as possible.”
