By Elliot Worsell
From time to time, each of us is prone to it – speaking without much thought. We often utter words that seem fitting, wise, or appropriate in the moment. However, upon reflection, these words can be reevaluated and suddenly appear incorrect or out of context, resembling clichés rather than carefully considered ideas.
Last week, while working for ProBox TV, Shawn Porter, the former welterweight champion, expressed his belief that Naoya Inoue of Japan should fight in America in order to prove himself to him and other Americans. This opinion sparked a significant reaction online, with many pointing out that Inoue’s upcoming title defense against Luis Nery, scheduled for May 6, is expected to sell out Japan’s renowned Tokyo Dome, which has a capacity of 55,000.
“Everybody’s looking for that next star,” Porter said when asked about Inoue, 26-0 (23). “Everybody’s talking about how much money you can make and how many fans you have. We really don’t know what Inoue’s goals are. Is his goal to be the star in boxing? If his goal is to be the star in boxing, you’ve got to come to the United States. You’ve got to cross those seas and knock out some Americans to make these other Americans take notice of who you are and what you’re doing. There’s a lot of people in the boxing world that respect Inoue and what he’s done but if you’re someone like me, I’m saying, ‘Let’s get him out of his own backyard; get him a little uncomfortable and see how he handles it.’”
Inoue stops Stephen Fulton (Getty Images)
At first glance, there is nothing particularly objectionable about Porter’s statement. He is not wrong in expressing his desire to see more of Inoue fighting in America, especially considering Inoue has only fought there three times so far. Porter also hopes that other Americans can share the same enthusiasm for the super-bantamweight champion as he does. However, the problem for Porter seems to lie in the fact that the phrase, “Fighter A must come to America to really make it,” has become cliché over time. It is often repeated by boxing fans, pundits, and former fighters, either because it sounds right or because someone made a similar comment about another fighter many years ago.
Undoubtedly, there was a time when America stood as the ultimate destination for professional boxers, earning the title of the Promised Land. It was home to the heavyweight champions and held a prominent position on pound-for-pound rankings. However, that era, akin to the heavyweight division itself, has faded away. The boxing landscape has transformed significantly, prompting fighters like Inoue and numerous British boxers (ironically, heavyweights) to opt for hometown matches, filling stadiums rather than venturing to America.
In the past few years, big stadium fights in the UK were quite popular, and this trend is expected to continue until America can produce heavyweight champions to reclaim the titles and bring the sport back to their own territory. Despite the rising influence of Saudi Arabia, there is still a strong desire for fighters to participate in stadium fights in their own countries. Whether they are British fighters competing in Britain or Japanese fighters like Inoue fighting in Japan, the hunger for these homegrown battles remains.
Naoya Inoue showcasing his collection of belts.
To be honest, when it comes to Inoue, it’s not a new concept for him to fight at home while competing in the lower weight classes. In fact, just like how America is closely associated with the heavyweight division, Asia has a similar connection with the smaller weight classes. Many of the world’s best boxers in these weight classes were born and have fought the majority of their careers in Asia. The idea of “making it in America” has always been secondary for these smaller fighters, as if they were pop stars groomed by Simon Cowell. Besides Naseem Hamed and Manny Pacquiao, it’s difficult to think of many others who have explored this option and fully capitalized on it. This is mainly because it’s challenging to arrange compelling crossover fights that appeal to more than just hardcore fans in the lower weight classes. These weight divisions are typically known for longer distance fights rather than one-shot dramas, which is not ideal for sports bars and casinos where casual fans predominate. Additionally, the fighters in these divisions often have names that are difficult to spell or pronounce and their lack of connection to the USA makes it tough for most Americans to fully embrace them as one of their own.
Pacquiao, without a doubt, stood out from the rest, while Hamed, although not universally adored, possessed enough charm and controversy to capture people’s attention. It is important to remember that both of them possessed an extraordinary knockout power, typically attributed to fighters in higher weight classes rather than those weighing no more than nine stone.
In comparison, Inoue is also fortunate, no doubt. However, there are notable distinctions. Unlike Hamed, he is not proficient in English, and at 31, he lacks the advantage of youth to evolve into a global sensation. Instead, Inoue, known as the “Monster,” is revered solely by purists, which is perfectly fine. In his homeland, he garners immense support from both fellow countrymen and purists due to their deep appreciation for his skills. Moreover, these individuals have witnessed countless boxing talents over the years, including those whose combined weight matches that of an American heavyweight’s torso.
