chunky_mcdaniels
All Star
This is an interesting story to cover, considering it's universally frowned upon to film sparring and leak it, let alone write a report on each sparring session in the biggest boxing magazine of all time.TAKUMA-SANCHEZ
NAOYA-LLAMIDO
Naoya signs Stephanie’s T-shirt. He’s a cool cat. Photo by Yours Truly
Chavez was proud of her partner.
“I see them as similar boxers, they’re both fast with crazy timing,” she said. “We came to this session with a game plan and that was to pick shots as sharp as possible and to find (Inoue’s) uncomfortable spot. It’s not easy because of his power and timing, but it’s there if you can get in close and follow through punches. You can’t just cover up when he punches. You have to press him and stay with him. He’s not used to that.”
If it sounds like Chavez isn’t a fan of The Monster, think again. She wore a “Naoya Inoue” T-shirt in her boyfriend’s corner and later had Inoue sign it.
My immediate assessment after the session: When Naoya moves up in weight he will encounter fighters with significant height and reach advantages, some of whom will be able to take his power. Llamido knew what to expect from Inoue. The elite junior featherweights, such as Stephen Fulton and Murodjon Akmadaliev, will also be well prepared for his dynamic style of boxing.
While Koki Inoue sparred with Ruben Rodriguez (a Robert Garcia-trained junior welterweight from Indio with a 10-1 record), I chatted with Naoya and Yaegashi (with Ueda’s assistance).
“I knew Japhetlee was a skillful boxer,” Naoya said. “I like a sparring partner who can adjust to whatever I do. I want to practice my skills when I spar.”
Yaegashi, a recently retired former champion, could tell that Inoue was not as athletic as usual.
“We’re coming to the end of this camp and I suspect he’s getting a little tired,” said the veteran, who held world titles at strawweight, junior flyweight and flyweight. “But he still boxed well. That’s one of Naoya’s strong points, he stays focused through fatigue.”
Yaegashi was most impressed with Inoue’s sessions with Adam Lopez.
“Naoya was at his peak with Lopez,” he said. “But it was still a thinking sparring session. They’re both smart, both good at baiting and setting traps. It was a chess match, and very good preparation for (WBO bantamweight titleholder Paul) Butler.”
Inoue-Butler is reportedly set for December 13 in Japan. If Inoue beats the British boxer (as everyone expects) he will achieve undisputed status at bantamweight and likely look to make moves in the 122-pound division in 2023.
A wider variety of boxing styles comes with the heavier weights, I noted to Naoya. “You might want to consider more camps – longer camps – in Los Angeles next year,” I said.
“Count on it,” he said.
Enjoyed the article though.
*As an aside, Ring magazine has an obvious, vested interest in their Japanese readership. They've had numerous Inoue covers, including an Ashyta no Joe syle collector cover. The Japanese market must surely be lucrative for physical magazine sales.
end up derailed, quick and in a hurry
