JUST 5 days in July separated two of probably the most anticipated fights of the yr. Each featured boxers driving excessive within the legendary pound-for-pound rankings, with the expectation that the stronger of the 2 performances would elevate the winner to the highest spot. After which each Naoya Inoue and Terence Crawford delivered equally dominant outcomes towards equally revered opponents, leaving followers equally divided as to who’s the perfect within the sport right this moment.
On condition that the distinction in weight between Inoue and Crawford means they are going to by no means combat each other, it isn’t a debate that may be settled within the ring. With that in thoughts, Boxing Information makes an attempt, by way of an evaluation of 12 key areas, to work out who is perhaps boxing’s pound-for-pound king.
CURRENT STANDING
INOUE First, on July 25, Inoue gained each spherical towards 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 However 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 of the belts and the reputable world championship.
EDGE Both end result by itself would have positioned Inoue or Crawford head and shoulders above anybody else. That each elevated themselves additional nonetheless when confronted with their greatest challenges instructed the pound-for-pound king is a two-headed beast – there’s Inoue, Crawford, after which there’s all people else. The sting, 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 about up by skilled footwork, timing and ring positioning, and Inoue can finish fights with pictures both upstairs or downstairs, whether or not within 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 Additionally blessed with beautiful timing and an accuracy fee that’s nearly unprecedented towards top-flight opposition, Crawford additional advantages from lengthy arms which can be troublesome to get previous and which ship slashing offence. Even the common-or-garden jab is usually a energy shot – he dropped Spence closely with one.
EDGE They seem equals in virtually each division, however Inoue appears the tougher puncher – perhaps the toughest puncher within the sport, pound-for-pound – and has additionally demonstrated fast, fight-changing changes. Notice how he dropped the axe on Fulton simply after the American had had his greatest spherical, and the way he annihilated Emmanuel Rodriguez within the second spherical, having misplaced the primary.
RECORD AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
INOUE His 25-0 (22) file gives two breathtaking percentages – 88 per cent of Inoue’s fights have led to a knockout, and 80 p.c of his complete 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 wanting three and a half years and encompassing seven defences. He holds the excellence of successful main belts in two divisions within the fewest fights (eight).
CRAWFORD The jaw-dropping 40-0 (31) file is the second-longest energetic unbeaten streak within the sport, although in fact Crawford’s standing is far better 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 incorporates 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 Whereas Inoue has gathered {hardware} in additional weight lessons, Crawford’s accomplishments imply extra in that he’s a three-divisional lineal king.
BEST WIN
INOUE Whereas his greatest efficiency got here towards Fulton, Inoue’s greatest win was most likely the primary towards 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 participating Inoue in a Combat of the Yr contender. Inoue scored a unanimous resolution over an important fighter having his final nice combat.
CRAWFORD His resume already boasted some positive names, however Crawford’s greatest win was his newest, towards Spence. It was the primary time he’d confronted a real A-lister in his prime. A win towards Spence in any trend 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 could be unkind to criticise Inoue for dropping a handful of rounds towards him, however nonetheless, Spence was supposedly at his peak, unbeaten and a belt-holder for six years when he met Crawford. Donaire may need a better place in historical past, however Spence on that day represented one of the best win for both boxer.
OTHER BIG WINS
INOUE ‘The Monster’ improved on the primary 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. Different notable victories got here towards 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 on the time not named Crawford or Spence. It was the one stoppage lack of Porter’s lengthy and distinguished profession. Crawford has in any other case nicely overwhelmed an excellent 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 Each resumes are comparable of their vary, depth and dominance, however Inoue’s stands out a little bit extra for the way in which he’s completely crushed a few of his higher foes in very brief order.
THE RISE
INOUE Turning professional at 19, Inoue hit the bottom operating as a professional and was a WBC title-holder by his sixth combat. Each match since then has been for a ‘massive 4’ belt. His beginner accomplishments got here primarily within 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 manner up on smaller reveals. His first notable scalp was that of Breidis Prescott in 2013, in Crawford’s twentieth professional bout. He remained primarily unproven till his breakout evening towards Burns in March 2014. As an beginner, Crawford was the top-ranked US light-weight previous to the 2008 Olympics, however he did not qualify for the Video games.
EDGE Inoue’s meteoric rise was one of many quickest the game has seen, and a uncommon class through which he’s clearly Crawford’s superior.
THROUGH THE WEIGHTS
INOUE A 108-pounder on his debut, Inoue gained 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, successful all 4 main belts, beating one of 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 towards Fulton.
CRAWFORD A light-weight for his first 25 bouts and when successful his first world title, Crawford then excelled at super-light, the primary of two divisions the place he gained all 4 belts. Crawford spent a busy two years at 140lbs, successful seven occasions. However his greatest opposition, and greatest kind, has been at welter, the place he has resided since June 2018 and gained eight occasions, most not too long ago towards 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 within the decrease lessons. One other manner to have a look at it’s that it’s a lot rarer for a former light-fly to excel at super-bantam than it’s 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 as a consequence of an excruciating damage. A Donaire left hook broke Inoue’s proper eye socket of their first combat, which the Japanese man mentioned repeatedly despatched “shock waves” of ache by means of 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 in some way Inoue not solely gained 2019’s Combat of the Yr, he completed it strongly.
CRAWFORD “He’s up? How?” exclaimed Crawford when informed by his nook after the ninth spherical that Porter was forward. He wasn’t, however he was holding his personal and had been degree on two playing cards after eight. Too shut for consolation. Crawford responded instantly and emphatically, ending the combat 81 seconds later.
EDGE You possibly can argue that the absence of disaster in Crawford’s profession reveals he’s the superior expertise. Alternatively, you would possibly say query marks stay over his resilience. Till 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 Pretty much as good as Inoue has appeared, and as loath as I’m to do the keyboard warrior factor and seek for negatives in hindsight, would possibly the matchmaking have flattered him in some situations? For instance, Fulton was the larger man however not confirmed in elite class; Donaire and Narvaez had been of their late 30s; Rodriguez acquired his ways flawed; Butler was in survival mode.
CRAWFORD We will play an identical sport with Crawford – Spence could have been broken items after a automobile crash; Porter was on his final roll of the cube; Brook and Khan had been nicely previous their greatest; the others had been overmatched. Moreover, at 36, there’s a sense Crawford could 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 Each have had intervals of treading water, amassing alphabet defences towards reasonable foes, however Inoue has arguably accomplished extra in a shorter time, and sure has extra time left.
POTENTIAL BANANA SKINS
INOUE The obvious menace may very well be overambition when it comes to weight acquire. Assuming he collects all 4 super-bantam belts, Inoue will seemingly look in the direction of featherweight, and perhaps even past. The upper he goes, the larger the chance, each when it comes to the energy and sturdiness of opponents, and in addition in how efficient his 5ft 5ins body and 67ins attain can be. If he stays at 122lbs, John Riel Casimero and Luis Nery each possess the form of energy and sheer will to win to pose a hazard.
CRAWFORD Equally, Crawford too will need to have a bodily ceiling, although at 5ft 8ins and with a 74ins attain, he theoretically has enough peak and vary to go up one other division or two. Speak 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’s massive, rangy, younger, highly effective and assured.
EDGE Crawford would possibly face the larger menace in his present division, however will most likely be capable to 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 because 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 world one, preventing within the US and UK.
CRAWFORD In case you assume star attraction just isn’t a consideration when assessing a boxer’s pound-for-pound standing, take into account 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 game fairly like an American star. Crawford, albeit quietly, has lastly earned his standing as such, and can be a PPV headliner for the foreseeable future. And when it comes to worldwide attraction, put it this fashion – whereas Inoue is a much bigger star in his personal nation than Crawford is in his, Crawford is best recognized in Japan than Inoue is within the US.
FUTURE PROSPECTS
INOUE Whereas 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 may very well be the controversial and hard-hitting Casimero. Extra intrigue would possibly 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 doable combat Crawford might make would even be probably the most harmful. Crawford towards Canelo would generate large curiosity – and cash – and whereas it could look ill-advised, it’s the form of gamble on which legends are shaped in the event that they repay. In any other case, his most clearly marketable near-future foes could be Ennis or Jermell Charlo, whereas from a weight under Ryan Garcia may very well be viable if he rebuilds nicely 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 perhaps 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 aspect, and as such the longer-term prospects for continued success.
THE WINNER
7-5 Inoue. Crawford is perhaps coming off the higher particular person win, however Inoue has proved extra general at a youthful age. Crawford should subsequently function in completely A-list firm from this level on if he’s to overhaul Inoue, and hope his kind holds up by means of his late 30s if he’s to carry that place. As of proper now, Inoue simply has his nostril in entrance.