Printable View
Looking at the list of Japanese prospects they certainly seem better then any other countries at the minute. Could we have an asian P4P king soon or will there not be enough interest in the US and Europe to raise their profiles from a star in their own country to an international superstar?
Is there anyone you got in mind?
China has a huge heavyweight he could do well if he is successful but greats like chitlada and galaxy have not been able to transcend into the west.
Murata at middleweight looks very good, although not that young. Good amateur pedigree and exciting fighter. At MW he is one of the bigger lads which might help boost his popularity.
Naoye Inoue looks one of the most complete boxers I have ever seen. At just 21 he is going for a world title in a 2nd weight class in just his 8th fight. His younger brother, Takuma, also looks a ridiculously good prospect at just 18.
Ioka, despite having a loss, looks a very good fighter too. Yamanaka, although a bit old, is very useful. THe Kameda brothers. Youngster Ryo Matsumoto and Shohei Omori look promising too.
I don't see anyone from Asia becoming p4p king in the near future unless Pacquaio wins over Mayweather ( if the fight happens).
No. They tend to burn out very fast.
Not unless they become American.
Last year I was reading a boxing news sites (not the Boxing News) top 50 P4P list and not one Japanese fighter was rated, even though they have over half-a-dozen "world" champions. Ridiculous.
Naoya Inoue will surely creep onto some lists considering where he's at after just eight fights.
Hes big as well so will be able to continue moving up I think. Looks to be getting stronger with every fight. His younger brother is supposed to be very good too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fenster
Unless said Japanese star emerges on lightweight or above and learns to speak English...then no.
P4P is every bit about talent as it is marketability.
Hell, a couple of years ago Broner was Ring's #6 P4P.
You forgot Kosei Tanaka :cool:Quote:
Originally Posted by Silkeyjoe
If Inoue were to beat Gonzalez I'd say he makes top 3-5 ;)
Yay another fan of the KO Dream Boy!Quote:
Originally Posted by La CucarachaYou forgot Kosei Tanaka :cool:Quote:
Originally Posted by Silkeyjoe
If Inoue were to beat Gonzalez I'd say he makes top 3-5 ;)
Another that will emerge later this year is Hinata Maruta, he's expected to debut against a world ranked foe in the fall.
Ken Shiro is pretty good too
Riku Kano wants to set a Japanese record for youngest national champion so he might be worth putting on the radar.
As for the actual question, no. Well...not as regarded by the US media. In reality I'd go with Gonzalez being the #1 personally and a win for Inoue over Gonzalez would be enough, given what he's already done, to over take him. US media and what is real are very different. Fighter of the year being anyone but Inoue is a joke, Tanaka not getting a mention in the west as Prospect of the year is a joke as well...
It is going to be tough for us to see an international, japanese superstar because number one, japan has a big market and its fighters make plenty of money in their backyard.
Unlike the fighters from other countries, japanese boxers dont feel the need to " make it " in america. That is why we dont see many of them fighting in the states.
Another reason is because of the obscure weight divisions they fight in. Western boxing fans arent interested in the lower weight divisions ( bc they are kinda thick in the head ) and would rather watch big fat slobs trying to knock each other out so they arent going to pay attention to these tiny weight divisions. There is no market for the small guys in america so why would these japanese guys attempt to travel?
Small fighters are better off in Japan.
One of the Kameda bros is trying to make it in the states. He has a fun style but Im not sure he is good enough to make it to a top 10 P4P spot.Quote:
Originally Posted by EL DINAMITA
I think Inoue is the best shot. He could move to bantom and face Caballero which would be reasonably big in states. Would need to be on undercard of big fight to get exposure. Then if he can make it to super bantom there are very big fights for him that will have interest all over the world.
Sounds like Caballero could end up in Japan fighting Iwasa by the end of this year, Iwasa Vs Inoue would be a good one if the Eagle Eye can over-come CaballeroQuote:
Originally Posted by Silkeyjoe