SIX DAYS IN NAGOYA
“I not only score decisive knockout wins, but this is what I can do [as a boxer],” Inoue continued. “I was able to show my abilities, which is very satisfying. This is very important as a professional boxer. Either way, I want to show everybody a good fight.” When I went for question number three, a PR rep cut his hand through the air to indicate my time was up. Tell you what, the rep had good hand speed, and I certainly got the message. I looked toward Inoue, managed to blurt out “arigato” in a broad Scottish accent, and left shortly thereafter. As I went outside, I began thinking about Ricky. By this time, I’d read a couple of social media
The great Inoue picked some beautiful single shots throughout the quick-paced battle.
posts and skimmed a story or two. I still couldn’t believe it. Being at the Manchester Arena live when Hatton dethroned Kostya Tszyu for the Ring Magazine junior welterweight championship was one of my most cherished boxing memories. That felt like yesterday … and now this? As I stood waiting for a taxi, staring into space, a young kid approached and asked me to “sign.” He held a black marker and a piece of cardboard, and his girlfriend stood behind him smiling. We struggled with the language barrier, but eventually I realized that he’d seen me interviewed about boxing by my good friend Daisuke Sugiura for Japanese sports magazine and website Number. It was a fight fan wanting my autograph, which I found both amusing and flattering in equal measure. I actually needed that moment. I got my taxi, but I wanted to toast Ricky with a few beers. I fell asleep after two. THE MORNING AFTER It was my final day in Japan, so I got myself ready and headed down for breakfast. Almost immediately, I noticed Mukhammadkodir, who had helped translate my pre-fight interview with MJ. He told me the former champ was bearing up well and that he’d be willing to speak to me before heading to the airport. About an hour later, Akhmadaliev came down to the lobby bar. He looked good and moved well, with his designer shades covering any signs of fight damage. I bought us some coffee and we spoke for a few minutes. The entire interview revolved around MJ complaining that he’d been rushed to the ring following Takei’s early stoppage loss and that he didn’t get a proper warm-up. He felt this had hampered his performance. “I saw all the punches clearly, but if I’d been warmed up, everything would be different,” said Akhmadaliev via translator.
“I was thinking about throwing the punches, but my hands and my body wouldn’t respond. “Of course, Inoue is a good boxer. His speed is good, but it’s not what people are thinking in terms of him being this big puncher. He’s not unbeatable. I just couldn’t show my boxing. He’s an opponent, like my other opponents. Near the end of the fight, I opened up a bit, but there wasn’t enough time.” Almost any excuse a fighter gives for losing will be torn apart on social media. That was the fate that befell MJ when his “warm-up excuse” leaked online. I’m a little more sympathetic. When you go through a 10- to 12-week training camp for the biggest fight of your career, you want everything to be perfect on fight night. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen. And it must be said that Inoue had the same amount of warm-up time as MJ. The champ just settled quicker and was the better man on the night. Akhmadaliev, 30, will continue fighting. When Inoue makes the almost inevitable move to featherweight, MJ will be in the running to vie for one of the vacant world titles at 122 pounds. He insisted that he’ll be willing to take on “anyone” in his division when that moment comes. As for Inoue, he moves one step closer to an all-Japanese showdown with fellow pound-for-pound star Junto Nakatani. However, before the biggest fight in Japanese boxing history can become a reality, The Monster must devour the WBC’s No. 1 contender, Alan David Picasso, who is unbeaten in 33 fights. This bout, which headlines the Ring V card on December 27, will mark Inoue’s Riyadh Season debut.
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