JUST 5 days in July separated two of the most anticipated fights of the yr. Both featured boxers driving excessive in the legendary pound-for-pound rankings, with the expectation that the stronger of the two performances would elevate the winner to the high spot. And then each Naoya Inoue and Terence Crawford delivered equally dominant outcomes in opposition to equally revered opponents, leaving followers equally divided as to who is the very best in the sport in the present day.
Given that the distinction in weight between Inoue and Crawford means they’ll by no means struggle each other, it is not a debate that may be settled in the ring. With that in thoughts, Boxing News makes an attempt, by way of an evaluation of 12 key areas, to work out who is likely to be boxing’s pound-for-pound king.
CURRENT STANDING
INOUE First, on July 25, Inoue received each spherical in opposition to the larger, unbeaten and defending WBC/WBO super-bantamweight belt-holder, Stephen Fulton, in Tokyo en path to stopping the American in spherical eight. It was such an entire efficiency that it appeared to settle the P4P debate earlier than Crawford had even had his say.
CRAWFORD But then Crawford was each bit as spectacular 5 days later in Las Vegas as he thrashed main welterweight rival Errol Spence in each division, stopping him in 9 to take all the belts and the legit world championship.
EDGE Either outcome on its personal would have positioned Inoue or Crawford head and shoulders above anybody else. That each elevated themselves additional nonetheless when confronted with their largest challenges advised the pound-for-pound king is a two-headed beast – there’s Inoue, Crawford, after which there’s all people else. The edge, by a really slender margin, goes to Crawford, as Spence was extra established than Fulton.
SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES
INOUE A formidable offence marked by crunching energy is arrange by professional footwork, timing and ring positioning, and Inoue can finish fights with pictures both upstairs or downstairs, whether or not in the early, center or late parts of a bout. He units a quick tempo and darts in an out, each exhausting and befuddling opponents.
CRAWFORD Also blessed with beautiful timing and an accuracy charge that is nearly extraordinary in opposition to top-flight opposition, Crawford additional advantages from lengthy arms which are troublesome to get previous and which ship slashing offence. Even the humble jab could be a energy shot – he dropped Spence closely with one.
EDGE They seem equals in virtually each division, however Inoue appears the more durable puncher – perhaps the hardest puncher in the sport, pound-for-pound – and has additionally demonstrated rapid, fight-changing changes. Note how he dropped the axe on Fulton simply after the American had had his best spherical, and the way he annihilated Emmanuel Rodriguez in the second spherical, having misplaced the first.
RECORD AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
INOUE His 25-0 (22) file presents two breathtaking percentages – 88 per cent of Inoue’s fights have led to a knockout, and 80 p.c of his total profession has been spent contesting main ‘world’ belts. He has claimed three WBC titles, three WBO, one WBA and one IBF throughout 4 weight divisions, although has solely been linear champion in a single (bantamweight). His longest reign was with the WBO super-fly title, simply in need of three and a half years and encompassing seven defences. He holds the distinction of profitable main belts in two divisions in the fewest fights (eight).
CRAWFORD The jaw-dropping 40-0 (31) file is the second-longest lively unbeaten streak in the sport, although in fact Crawford’s standing is a lot larger than that of 42-0 Jaime Munguia. His KO share is 77.5, and extra impressively he has completed his final 11 consecutive bouts early. Crawford has held main belts in three weight lessons, and most crucially has been lineal champ in all three too. His trophy cupboard comprises three WBO belts and two every from the WBC, WBA and IBF. His longest reign is his present one with the WBO welterweight title, spanning 5 years 4 months and 7 defences.
EDGE While Inoue has collected {hardware} in additional weight lessons, Crawford’s accomplishments imply extra in that he is a three-divisional lineal king.
BEST WIN
INOUE While his best efficiency got here in opposition to Fulton, Inoue’s best win was most likely the first in opposition to Nonito Donaire, in 2019. Donaire was 36 however driving a renaissance and had by no means been overwhelmed at bantamweight. He proved he nonetheless had it by partaking Inoue in a Fight of the Year contender. Inoue scored a unanimous resolution over a terrific fighter having his final nice struggle.
CRAWFORD His resume already boasted some tremendous names, however Crawford’s best win was his newest, in opposition to Spence. It was the first time he’d confronted a real A-lister in his prime. A win in opposition to Spence in any vogue would have been Crawford’s best work; that he achieved it with such aplomb was really excellent.
EDGE Donaire was a contemporary nice in good kind, so it might be unkind to criticise Inoue for dropping a handful of rounds in opposition to him, however nonetheless, Spence was supposedly at his peak, unbeaten and a belt-holder for six years when he met Crawford. Donaire may need the next place in historical past, however Spence on that day represented the best win for both boxer.
OTHER BIG WINS
INOUE ‘The Monster’ improved on the first Donaire lead to a rematch final yr, blowing him away in two rounds with breathtaking ease. That and the Fulton thrashing sandwiched a rout of Paul Butler. There was the startling run of fast KOs over Jamie McDonnell, Juan Carlos Payano and Rodriguez. Other notable victories got here in opposition to Jason Moloney, Kohei Kono, Omar Narvaez, Adrian Hernandez and Ryoichi Taguchi.
CRAWFORD Crawford’s second-best win was a 2021 TKO 10 over Shawn Porter, the best welterweight at the time not named Crawford or Spence. It was the solely stoppage lack of Porter’s lengthy and distinguished profession. Crawford has in any other case effectively overwhelmed a great mixture of belt-holders (Jeff Horn, Julius Indongo, Viktor Postol, Ricky Burns), contenders (Egidijus Kavaliauskas, Jose Benavidez, Yuriorkis Gamboa) and veterans (Kell Brook, Amir Khan, Ray Beltran).
EDGE Both resumes are comparable of their vary, depth and dominance, however Inoue’s stands out slightly extra for the method he’s completely crushed a few of his higher foes in very brief order.
THE RISE
INOUE Turning professional at 19, Inoue hit the floor operating as a professional and was a WBC title-holder by his sixth struggle. Every match since then has been for a ‘big four’ belt. His novice accomplishments got here primarily in the youth ranks, however even then his energy was evident, with 48 of his 75 documented unpaid bouts ending early.
CRAWFORD Bud’s apprenticeship was extra measured. He turned professional again in 2008 and labored his method up on smaller exhibits. His first notable scalp was that of Breidis Prescott in 2013, in Crawford’s twentieth professional bout. He remained basically unproven till his breakout evening in opposition to Burns in March 2014. As an novice, Crawford was the top-ranked US light-weight previous to the 2008 Olympics, however he did not qualify for the Games.
EDGE Inoue’s meteoric rise was one among the quickest the sport has seen, and a uncommon class during which he is clearly Crawford’s superior.
THROUGH THE WEIGHTS
INOUE A 108-pounder on his debut, Inoue received a WBC title in that division inside 18 months. Eight months later, he leapfrogged flyweight and was much more potent in his super-fly debut, wrecking long-time WBO belt-holder Omar Narvaez in two rounds. After three years and 7 defences, Inoue moved to bantamweight, the place his star actually shone, profitable all 4 main belts, beating the best opposition of his profession in resounding type, and making a number of worldwide appearances. After 4 and a half years and 9 wins, Inoue stepped up once more, to super-bantam, the place he appeared even higher nonetheless in opposition to Fulton.
CRAWFORD A light-weight for his first 25 bouts and when profitable his first world title, Crawford then excelled at super-light, the first of two divisions the place he received all 4 belts. Crawford spent a busy two years at 140lbs, profitable seven occasions. But his best opposition, and best kind, has been at welter, the place he has resided since June 2018 and received eight occasions, most not too long ago in opposition to Spence.
EDGE Inoue has competed in 4 divisions spanning 14lbs, whereas Crawford has fought in three weight lessons throughout 12lbs. There’s simply 2lbs between them in that regard, however variations in weight are extra pronounced in the decrease lessons. Another method to take a look at it is that it’s a lot rarer for a former light-fly to excel at super-bantam than it is for a former light-weight to take action at welter.
TOUGHEST TESTS/GUT CHECKS
INOUE It’s testomony to his dominance that solely as soon as has Inoue even appeared troubled, a lot much less close to defeat, and that was because of an excruciating harm. A Donaire left hook broke Inoue’s proper eye socket of their first struggle, which the Japanese man mentioned repeatedly despatched “shock waves” of ache via his physique, precipitated double imaginative and prescient and took three months to get better from. Such accidents virtually at all times finish matches, and typically even careers, but by some means Inoue not solely received 2019’s Fight of the Year, he completed it strongly.
CRAWFORD “He’s up? How?” exclaimed Crawford when instructed by his nook after the ninth spherical that Porter was forward. He wasn’t, however he was holding his personal and had been stage on two playing cards after eight. Too shut for consolation. Crawford responded instantly and emphatically, ending the struggle 81 seconds later.
EDGE You might argue that the absence of disaster in Crawford’s profession exhibits he is the superior expertise. Alternatively, you may say query marks stay over his resilience. Until he faces adversity, we will’t choose his response to it. Consequently, Inoue, together with his superhuman effort the one evening he appeared merely human, has proved extra.
CRITICISMS
INOUE As good as Inoue has appeared, and as loath as I’m to do the keyboard warrior factor and seek for negatives in hindsight, may the matchmaking have flattered him in some situations? For instance, Fulton was the larger man however not confirmed in elite class; Donaire and Narvaez have been of their late 30s; Rodriguez received his techniques mistaken; Butler was in survival mode.
CRAWFORD We can play the same sport with Crawford – Spence might have been broken items after a automobile crash; Porter was on his final roll of the cube; Brook and Khan have been effectively previous their best; the others have been overmatched. Furthermore, at 36, there’s a sense Crawford might have wasted a number of of his prime years, and he’s typically given the impression of not pushing for the largest fights. There’s a good quantity of filler on his file.
EDGE Both have had durations of treading water, amassing alphabet defences in opposition to average foes, however Inoue has arguably carried out extra in a shorter time, and certain has extra time left.
POTENTIAL BANANA SKINS
INOUE The most evident menace could possibly be overambition when it comes to weight acquire. Assuming he collects all 4 super-bantam belts, Inoue will possible look in the direction of featherweight, and perhaps even past. The larger he goes, the larger the danger, each when it comes to the energy and sturdiness of opponents, and in addition in how efficient his 5ft 5ins body and 67ins attain will likely be. If he stays at 122lbs, John Riel Casimero and Luis Nery each possess the sort of energy and sheer will to win to pose a hazard.
CRAWFORD Similarly, Crawford too will need to have a bodily ceiling, although at 5ft 8ins and with a 74ins attain, he theoretically has adequate peak and vary to go up one other division or two. Talk of difficult ‘Canelo’ Alvarez at super-middle does sound absurd, although. In his present welterweight division, Crawford’s riskiest rival appears to be Jaron Ennis, who is massive, rangy, younger, highly effective and assured.
EDGE Crawford may face the larger menace in his present division, however will most likely be capable of extra safely navigate additional weight acquire than Inoue.
STAR APPEAL
INOUE A giant title, at the least in his homeland, since very early in his profession, Inoue these days is seen in Japan as the “David Beckham of boxing” – he’s on journal covers, mainstream TV and billboards. And, to his credit score, he’s additionally made his model a global one, preventing in the US and UK.
CRAWFORD If you assume star enchantment is not a consideration when assessing a boxer’s pound-for-pound standing, think about how lengthy it took Crawford to land his first superfight. Rightly or wrongly, marketability helps make the largest fights occur, and Crawford has been a reluctant inhabitant of the highlight.
EDGE Even so, nothing transcends the sport fairly like an American star. Crawford, albeit quietly, has lastly earned his standing as such, and will likely be a PPV headliner for the foreseeable future. And when it comes to worldwide enchantment, put it this manner – whereas Inoue is a much bigger star in his personal nation than Crawford is in his, Crawford is higher identified in Japan than Inoue is in the US.
FUTURE PROSPECTS
INOUE While he already has his subsequent bout lined up – a unification with fellow two-belt super-bantam Marlon Tapales on December 26 – a extra threatening (and marketable) Filipino could possibly be the controversial and hard-hitting Casimero. More intrigue may lie, although, in any try by Inoue to go up additional in weight to 126lbs, the place the likes of Luis Alberto Lopez, Robeisy Ramirez, Rey Vargas, Brandon Figueroa and Josh Warrington reside.
CRAWFORD The largest potential struggle Crawford might make would even be the most harmful. Crawford in opposition to Canelo would generate large curiosity – and cash – and whereas it might look ill-advised, it’s the sort of gamble on which legends are fashioned in the event that they repay. Otherwise, his most clearly marketable near-future foes can be Ennis or Jermell Charlo, whereas from a weight under Ryan Garcia could possibly be viable if he rebuilds effectively sufficient from his loss to Tank Davis. He could also be contractually obliged to face Errol Spence once more earlier than all of that, nonetheless.
EDGE Crawford is likely to be in larger fights internationally for the subsequent yr or two, however there’s no trying previous that age, even permitting for him having not taken a lot punishment. At a comparatively younger 30, Inoue has by far the extra time on his facet, and as such the longer-term prospects for continued success.
THE WINNER
7-5 Inoue. Crawford is likely to be coming off the higher particular person win, however Inoue has proved extra total at a youthful age. Crawford should due to this fact function in completely A-list firm from this level on if he is to overhaul Inoue, and hope his kind holds up via his late 30s if he is to carry that place. As of proper now, Inoue simply has his nostril in entrance.
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