INOUE AND CO
Paul Wheeler previews two shows in Asia, each featuring a pound-forpound star
We preview a busy weekend of action that sees the WBSS start all over again
JUST nine days after the end of Season I of the World Boxing Super Series, Season II kicks off at Yokohama Arena in Japan (Sunday October 7). The focus is on the bantamweight and superlightweight tournaments on this Ohashi Promotions card, as local favourite Naoya Inoue meets Dominican Juan Carlos Payano at 118lbs, while Belarusian Kiryl Relikh defends his WBA 140lb title against Russia’s Eduard Troyanovsky. Both bouts serve as WBSS quarter-finals.
After previously reigning as WBC light-flyweight king (one defence) and WBO super-flyweight champ (seven defences), Inoue moved up to bantamweight in May, where he blitzed the highly regarded Jamie Mcdonnell in under two minutes. The “Monster’s” frightening run of form – 16 wins, 14 inside time, zero defeats – has led to him being considered as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. Payano, 20-1 (9), claimed the WBA bantamweight crown just over four years ago by unanimously outpointing long-time champion Anselmo Moreno on a six-round technical decision. He successfully defended the belt against three-time Olympian Rau’shee Warren via split verdict in August 2015, before losing it in a rematch 10 months later on a majority call. The 34-year-old has registered three low-profile victories since, most recently in March versus the untested Mike Plania, whom he unanimously outscored. Unlike Inoue, Payano is a career bantam. Boasting a tireless work rate, the Miami-based southpaw is an aggressive and rugged competitor, yet his rough-and-ready style can sometimes result in him suffering cuts. Having fought at both the 2004 and 2008 Olympics, he possesses an extensive amount of top-level amateur experience, though he also has many miles on the clock because of this. Inoue was a fine amateur himself, although not to Payano’s extent. The 25-year-old is an expert at controlling the distance with his quick jab and smooth footwork. Tucking up behind a tight guard, he forces his opponents into a position where he can unleash a wide assortment of fast, accurate and pulverising punches from both fists, including his devastating left hook downstairs.
With Payano having been tagged, hurt and dropped by Warren and Plania, the omens do not look good for him against Inoue, who is a far harder hitter than both of these men. The pick, therefore, is for Inoue to become the first person to defeat Payano inside the distance.
In the other WBSS contest on the bill, the 22-2 (19) Relikh makes the first defence of his WBA strap against fellow heavy-handed 140-pounder Troyanovsky, 27-1 (24). The 28-year-old champion from Minsk is 10 years younger than Orel’s Troyanovsky, who was the IBF super-lightweight ruler from November 2015 to December 2016. The improving Relikh’s youth, energy and strength will prove the difference in this fight, leading to a points win for the title-holder.
Also on the show, Japan’s unbeaten WBC light-flyweight boss Ken Shiro, 13-0 (7), puts his belt on the line for the fourth time. Opposing the 26-year-old from Uji is the vastly experienced former IBF light-fly leader Milan Melindo, 37-3 (13), of Cebu City in the Philippines. The tough 30-year-old challenger will give it all that he’s got, but the taller Shiro’s eye-catching combinations and hurtful body shots can see him retain on the scorecards.
The previous day (Saturday October 6) at the Impact Arena in Pak Kret, Thailand, Nakornloung Promotion and ONE Championship co-promote as the pound-for-pound-listed Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, 46-4-1 (41), defends his WBC super-flyweight title for the third time during his second reign as champion. The Thai southpaw is up against 28-year-old Mexican Iran Diaz, 14-2-3 (6). Expect Srisaket, 31, to demonstrate his thumping power by winning inside time against his less seasoned Ciudad Obregon rival.
THE VERDICT Fight fans can only wish that one day Inoue and Srisaket may share a ring.