From an investor's perspective⇒5.2 Tokyo Dome "THE DAY" If Naoya Inoue were to lose, this is how it would unfold... Nakatani-kun
From an investor's perspective
5.2 Tokyo Dome "THE DAY" If Naoya Inoue were to lose, this is how it might unfold... Nakaya-kun
I will write predictions about it.
Before that discussion...
I am in my 50s,
and when I think of Japanese boxing matchups, the first that comes to mind is
the WBC World Bantamweight Championship unification fight at Nagoya City Gym Rainbow Hall on December 4, 1994
'Hasegawa Hosoe vs Jomi Takayoshi' (note: translation kept the names as in Japanese; adjust if needed)
Yoshinori Yakusji? (note: original names appear garbled)
Yakujira became champion while Takuyoshi was resting due to a retinal detachment,
and the two faced off.
The pre-fight expectation was largely in Takayoshi's favor.
Public perception was something like genius Takayoshi vs hard-working Yakujira.
Energetic Takayoshi, skilled in interviews and TV, would often mock and provoke Yakujira
to hype the event.
Yakujira responded with mature composure.
In the locker room he relaxed while dancing; entering the ring he danced as well.
He wore a black costume and maintained a cool style.
As a university student at the time, I supported Yakujira while writing my thesis at home.
When Yakujira debuted,
his style of “hitting and then immediately retreating” earned him the nickname “coward,” but
after meeting legendary trainer Mac Crihara, who trained six world champions,
he gradually grew stronger.
It felt like a reality version of the movie "The Karate Kid."
Trainer Mac Crihara and Yakujira Hase?
In the film Karate Kid, Mr. Miyagi is the karate master and the lead actor
Mac Crihara and Mr. Miyagi resemble each other so closely that you could hardly tell them apart. Haha
Yakujira fought with a tight guard, using a rock rhythm and focusing on left jabs in an out-boxing style.
He possessed speed and technical footwork,
and excelled at evading opponents’ attacks.
Moreover, he could adapt his strategy for each fight, reading his opponent's weaknesses and tailoring it accordingly.
On the other hand, Takayoshi had explosive power,
fighting with a no-guard approach that always excited the crowd, but also absorbed a lot of punches.
In the first 1–2 rounds, Takayoshi showed stylish footwork as if he were an ant.
From the 3rd round onward, he advanced with a no-guard exchange.
It was flashy, but also gave an impression of fragility.
These two.
If you look at their footwork, Yakujira’s training volume was far from ordinary.
From the way his leg muscles were developed, I believed Yakujira would win.
Sorry for the long preface,
I predict Inoue would lose to Nakaya when Inoue’s pride gets in the way and his rhythm falters.
Since the time Nakaya fight was announced, Naoya Inoue has said several things...
・Show the difference in class.
・Don’t mess with me, that kind of vibe.
・The opponents he has fought are different.
・I'll give them a good beating.
For Naoya Inoue, who rarely makes bold statements about opponents, these remarks hint that
he believes he is clearly superior and unquestionably strong.
That is why he speaks this way.
In fights between Japanese boxers, pride and determination often clash.
Nakaya can fight with nothing to lose, but
Inoue cannot fight with nothing to lose.
What would be dangerous is if Nakaya lands a solid punch first.
With opponents like Ahmadaliev or Nery, we knew their power, so
they could respond calmly using their mobility and boxing IQ,
but in a Japanese matchup...
if Nakaya cannot respond calmly, that could be the critical moment.
Well, I don’t think that scenario is likely, but
if Inoue were to lose, it would be in this kind of development.
If Inoue fights with his usual movement and high boxing IQ
as rounds go by, Nakaya’s face could resemble Ahmadaliev's when he returned to the corner post-round.
Ahmadaliev looked less confident as rounds went on.
His gaze vanished, and even when back at the corner, you couldn’t tell if he was listening to his corner or not; a sad look remained.
If Nakaya feels he cannot win in the second consecutive Super Bantamweight bout,
over the rounds, his confidence would fade.
In a big match, Naoya Inoue’s force comes from being supremely strong.
As an investor, I would bet on Inoue’s higher likelihood of winning.
It might seem possible, but it could end without a single chance.
That is my conclusion.
What are your predictions?