JAPANESE BOXING BOOM
JAPAN currently boasts nine world champions. I’m no broadcasting expert, but I think that the UK’S boxing public are missing out, as not many of these champions have their fights televised in this country.
I try to catch all the major Japanese cards on Youtube when possible, as they’re always entertaining and actionpacked.
Japan’s WBO super-flyweight champ Naoya Inoue has expressed an interest in moving up in weight and travelling to the UK to do battle with WBO bantamweight boss Zolani Tete, who is promoted by Frank Warren. This would be an excellent fight.
Furthermore, Welshman Andrew Selby is one of the top contenders for the WBC flyweight title, which is currently held by another exciting Japanese fighter in Daigo Higa, who has a 100 per cent KO ratio. Hopefully we will get to see the likes of Inoue and Higa competing on British soil this year. Jamie Ingleby
THE CASE FOR PARKER
IN my view, Joseph Parker would be too quick for Anthony Joshua and too smart for Deontay Wilder. Parker’s last three fights have seen him bank valuable rounds against awkward opponents. When he goes back to facing the more in-your-face type of fighters, he will be in his element.
He is a fast, fit, well-trained fighter who has all the skills and packs a solid punch. And, arguably most importantly, he has belief in himself. Alec Waugh, Auckland, New Zealand
FORGET THE CIRCUS
SOMETIMES it can be hard being a boxing fan, what with the Floyd Mayweather-conor Mcgregor fight still leaving a bad taste in the mouth. I still find it a shame that that matchup was ever sanctioned as a legitimate bout. It’s disrespectful that Floyd surpassed the great Rocky Marciano’s 49-0 record by fighting an opponent who was making his pro debut.
Also, the examples of bad judging in the sport are very frustrating for fans – when seemingly everyone other than the judges know who the real winner is.
So thank God that 2017 ended with a masterclass from Billy Joe Saunders, who was the matador to David Lemieux’s bull. And also the new superstar of boxing, Vasyl Lomachenko, made Guillermo Rigondeaux look like an average opponent, before eventually forcing the gifted Cuban to quit. Quality boxers like Saunders and Lomachenko make it a bit easier to forget the circus side of the sport, and allow us to look forward to some class matchups this year.