THE ART OF RAISING CHAMPIONS
Ring: In major fights like Naoya vs. Nakatani, where the opposing trainer is also a famous figure like Rudy Hernandez, people in the media tend to frame it as a “trainer showdown.” Do you yourself ever think of it that way? SI: Not at all. But in this case, Rudy’s younger brother, Genaro Hernandez, was actually a fighter I liked very much. Sadly, he’s no longer with us, but I knew Rudy was his brother, and I knew he was a renowned trainer in America. Much like when Naoya fought the legendary Nonito Donaire, there was something emotional about facing a fighter trained by someone [Kenny Adams] with that level of accomplishment. Ring: Was part of the reason you liked Genaro Hernandez because he was a defensive fighter who didn’t get hit much?
SI: Yes, definitely. I also liked his style – the sharp jab and the overall feel of his boxing. Ring: What other fighters did you enjoy watching? SI: Felix Trinidad, of course Oscar De La Hoya, Juan Manuel Marquez … I didn’t necessarily have one specific type I liked, but I was drawn to fighters with individuality. These days, I don’t watch as much, but there was a time when I watched almost nothing but overseas fights. Naturally I was curious about what the world- level techniques looked like. Even if I didn’t copy a fighter completely, there were moments when I’d think, “That combination is really good,” and then try teaching it to my kids. Ring: When did you realize that your own son, Naoya, had become the kind of extraordinary fighter comparable to those international superstars you used to watch? SI: I never really had the luxury to think that way. We were always focused only on what was ahead of us, desperately taking things one fight at a time. If we got a result, we’d feel relieved, then prepare for the next challenge. That cycle just repeated itself. But when people around us started mentioning things objectively – winning the World Boxing Super Series, becoming undisputed champion – then I’d think, “Wow, we really have done something incredible.” It’s usually only after others point it out that I realize it. I don’t spend much time thinking about public perception in everyday life. Ring: Do you ever suddenly stop and think how unbelievable this journey has been compared to where it started? SI: When I first started training the two of them, even after they turned pro, I never dreamed this far ahead. It was always about one day at a time, the next fight in front of us. Of course, I absolutely believed they had to become world champions, and I
afford to get hit. I’ve always wanted to pursue that kind of boxing to the highest level. Ring: Last year, you received The Ring Magazine’s Trainer of the Year award, one of the highest honors for a trainer. How did you feel when you received it? SI: More than happy, I was shocked. I was like, “Huh? Me? Me? Why?” (laughs) Ring: I imagine you weren’t training your sons in pursuit of individual awards, but what value does that recognition hold for you? SI: Just like pound-for-pound rankings, it’s not something you become because you want to. It’s something people around you decide through their evaluation. When I think about it that way, it has tremendous value. When I step back and reflect on it, I realize,
“Wow, this is incredible.” Naoya and Takuma have achieved so much, and it makes me feel that what we’ve done all these years was not wrong – that it’s been recognized. That makes me very happy. Ring: After the Inoue brothers both scored huge victories at the Tokyo Dome, there’s certainly a possibility you could win the award again for a second straight year. SI: Well … when people say things like that, it makes me want to chase it too. (laughs) I hadn’t really thought about it before, but now it does make me feel like, “All right, we all have to keep pushing together again.”
was determined to make that happen, but I never had such a clear vision of reaching this level. Ring: What goals did you have when you first started as a trainer? SI: When I first began teaching my sons, I wasn’t thinking about world titles or the Olympics at all. Naoya was only in first grade. My only thought was to make them stronger, day by day. As they got older and moved through junior high and high school, amateur boxing became a realistic path, and we thought, “All right, let’s challenge ourselves in amateur boxing.” But instead of sending them to powerhouse schools with boxing programs, I wanted to see how far the Inoue family alone could go. It was almost like a “takeover” mentality. That’s why I intentionally had them attend a high school without a boxing club. Through that process, the Olympics eventually became a goal, and we said, “OK, let’s aim for the Olympics.” But after losing in the Asian qualifiers, Naoya told me, “I don’t want to wait another four years. I want to turn pro.” I told him that was fine. And that was the first time I thought, “If we’re going into the professional world, then I’m absolutely going to make him a world champion.” Now we’re taking on the pro world. Ring: Outside the gym, do you talk boxing with your sons? SI: Not very much. Occasionally, but hardly ever. It’s not that we intentionally avoid it – it’s just natural that way. Back in the amateur days and maybe early in their pro careers, we probably talked about it more. But now they’re fully developed as fighters, so we haven’t really had conversations about boxing at home or in private for many years. Ring : Do you want your sons to retire early? SI: Yes, I’ve always said this, but it’s best if they retire while people still wish they’d keep going. Especially for
Naoya. He’s already accomplished everything. If I ever start to see decline, I’ll know by watching sparring. At that point, I’ll clearly tell him, “You’re not reacting anymore. It’s time.” Ring: What if he says he wants to continue? SI: Then I’ll speak as his father and say, “No. You can’t react anymore, so you’re done. I’m making you stop.” (laughs) I’ll say it firmly. We’re family, after all, and I don’t want him carrying lasting damage. But the truth is, he genuinely loves boxing. There’s no sign of decline right now, so for the moment, I leave it up to him. Ring: Do you hope your sons remain involved in boxing after retirement? SI: They can do whatever they want. Part of me would also like to see them challenge themselves in another business or field. But with the level of influence they have, I think it would also be great if they did something for boxing. They’ve built so much in this sport already, so I’d love to see them stay involved, help boxing grow and make the sport even more mainstream. Ring: Do you still have personal goals as a trainer? SI: My biggest goal is to have Naoya retire undefeated. I’m very committed to that. And as I mentioned earlier, I still think there’s untapped potential in Takuma. I want to fully bring that out until I reach the point where I have nothing left to say to him as a trainer. Ring: After your sons retire, will you continue coaching? SI: No, not really. Basically, I only train my children – I don’t work with anyone else. I’m not thinking about becoming someone’s full-time trainer. But I owe a tremendous debt to Hideyuki Ohashi, so I’d always be happy to come to the gym and offer advice. I’d like to continue helping the Ohashi Gym in any way I can, moving forward.
And still the undisputed junior featherweight champion of the world.
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