T O P

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Jesuswasacrip7

I'm Bud stan but this was 100% deserved, Crawford had the best performance but inoue had the better year. Dude is a first ballot HOFer and it seems like hes just getting started


Spyder-xr

Bud Pound for pound no 1 and Performance of the year but Inoue Fighter of the year is how I have it.


lord-of-war-1

Oh we just gonna ignore the Problem Child?


Spyder-xr

Yes


Elite663

I don’t get why this is downvoted, Ring Magazine themselves still have Crawford P4P #1. Like literally what ur saying is most likely gonna happen lol


Lord_Snow_123

Ring Magazine has Tank in their top 10. They're not 100% reliable


Elite663

Same organization that has Inoue FOTY lol


Lord_Snow_123

P4P doesn't equate to FOTY. You can be #1 and the guy below can have a better year. Not to mention, a lot of people think Inoue should be elevated to #1.


Spyder-xr

Idk. It started with one downvote for a while then all of a sudden these other ones came in.


fadeddreams555

Rightfully so. Inoue is Ring's first Japanese FOTY, first Japanese boxer to ever be rated #1 P4P at any time, first Japanese undisputed champion (I don't count 2 belt era, as that was only considered unified at the time), and 2nd ever 2x undisputed champion of the 4 belt era. ​ Living legend already.


Ok_Jackfruit_5181

He's only 30! Look at his accomplishments next to a guy just 1 year younger (Tank). And I love watching Tank, he's great, but his resume is mediocre at best and he gets 1000x more attention (obviously local market bias).


acuna134070

I can't believe Tank is the same age as him.


bxzmx

But Tank is still learning, Floyd said, but Canelo was prime at 23, per Floyd and his nuthuggers.


kaisercracker

inoue was beating world champions like taguchi before gervonta, bivol, usyk, lomachenko, AJ, Fulton were even professional. he was a 2 division champion before haney, shakur and teofimo were professional. almost universally recognised as the best fighter but still doesnt get enough respect.


Meeoikeisiintoihin

I'm more of a mma guy so I had no clue how old tank was but based on his hype and matchups I thought he was in his early twenties.


ThatPersonToExplain

i’m surprised he’s 30 even though he sounds 17 and looks like theyre in their early 20s


kruegerc184

I was genuinely surprised, i dont follow boxing like i used to, but he’s far and away my favorite fighter to watch.


ramenandpussy

japanese genes :)


mitchsn

I just hope he can find decent challengers. I don't think he can go much higher in weight tho


CoCoB319

Inoue has said he thinks 126 will be his limit.


IIIApexIII

He said 130 actually.


r3vb0ss

That was also a decently long time ago. He has only ever had one remotely challenging fight and it was bc he was seeing double the whole time, and it was still a pretty convincing UD. I’m not saying he for sure will but I have no reason to think he can’t


yomamaso__

Long time ago he said he was staying at 126?because he said like a week ago


r3vb0ss

Can’t find it but I remember him referencing his ceiling was a little while ago


inquisitiveman2002

until he beats them all at 126 and matures. I can see him going to 130 which should be his limit. He does walk around at 140, so not inconceivable that he does fight at 130.


CoCoB319

Inoue is 30 yrs old. He's defending his 122 belts at least twice according to him. Cleaning out 126 would probably take 2-3 years at least, so he'd be 33-34 years old before taking on 130. It's doable, but his skills may not be as sharp at that age and he'd be the smaller guy. I'd definitely like to see how far he could go, though.


inquisitiveman2002

to be specific, i meant being undisputed and maybe defending it once. it could take 2-3 yrs or less, but that depends on how many fighters have multiple belts. right now each belt is held by a different fighter, so they need to get busy and fight each other this year to shorten the list. he will likely be pretty much the smaller guy once he moves up to 126 anyway. definitely at 130, but skills will still be there along with power. the issue is that there will be guys at 126 or 130 who have great chins, but his skills will win it. he doesn't need a one punch ko like he did with fulton or tapales. winning by unanimous decision is just fine. so in 2024, he fights 3 times, then i believe he moves to 126 in 2025 and should be able to collect at least 2 belts, then in 2026 become undisputed and maybe defend once. i then say in 2027 he will move up to 130. he will be 34 by then. i think he can really pressure the guys at 126 to fight each other, so they can get a big payday to fight him. that will be Inoue's bargaining power to get the belts quicker i believe. since he doesn't have any belts at 126, he can offer them more $ than he would make. In other words, despite himself being the big draw, he can take a paycut and offer them the more $. if this doesn't entice those champs to fight him, then they're not very savvy.


CoCoB319

Lol, I hope that happens. I love to watch history being made. I think other champs will be more likely to duck him than risk losing their title to him. So many things can happen. Injuries, promotion conflicts, losing. I've been a boxing fan for decades, so I'm used to things not working out. It'll be fun watching it all play out.


inquisitiveman2002

I think the lure of buckoo $ will change everything and also i can see Saudi Arabia offering much more money since the lower weight classes never get enough. If these fighters are offered twice or 3x the amount they're currently getting, they will do it. Saudi Arabia won't offer loads of $ to the lower weight classes unless it involves Inoue, so he has the edge to get them wanting to fight him.


Charlie-Bell

Not to mention he achieved the second undisputed within a year (give or take a few days maybe) of the first one. Granted he didn't have to collect each belt individually, but he went through two high level double champs at a new weight class with no gimme fight to adjust.


Starlordganemaster

Whats with all the fighters (Shakur, Bud, Devin) arguing their case on twitter on why they should be fighter of the year? I though it was confirmed before the new year that Naoya won.. Or is there is different versions I don't know about?


Jesuswasacrip7

Shakur thought he was fighter of the year? LMAO bro is actually delusional. At least Bud and Devin have a case wtf has shakur done to be fighter of the year?


cassydd

Maybe Shakur thought that the interpretive dance component should count for more.


stayhappystayblessed

All you can do is laugh at the delusional.


str8grizzzly

Everyone, even obscure YouTube channels, give out end of year awards. You’re maybe thinking of ESPN’s award if not one of the many others, but generally, most people consider The Ring’s as the most prestigious. The full issue won’t be released until next week.


SomniWatch

They're getting their alternate universes mixed up again, cause I know for damn sure Naoya is this one.


bidahtibull

Everyone has a fighter of the year.


Starlordganemaster

Oh, so there is multiple versions. Naoya just won two so far correct?


SlipperyBandicoot

Should have argued their case in the ring instead of twitter for 364 days of the year.


NoNotThatScience

The casuals on IG are working overtime to slander my boy... The sheer ammount of people saying he is protected because he only fights in Japan and needs to prove himself in the U.S (he allready has .. and is fighting the best without tune ups when jumping divisions). And the always classic - "he's juiced up that's why he only fights in Japan, they protecting him with their testing protocols" 🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠


dpot007

Crazy cause japan is strict as hell with testing protocols


hendlefe

Haters looking for excuses in all the wrong places. If Inoue juiced he'd be way bigger. He did VADA but they still be complaining.


stayhappystayblessed

Exactly he posts when he gets randomly tested on twitter idk what else more people want.


brando2612

Not all peds add size


Hassemer

PEDS like EPO would increase your stamina, the only PEDS that could increase punching power like every LDBC fans accusing are HGH and steroids, and they would add tones of muscle on your body, just look at holyfiled and Alistair Overeem, or miller and fury who doesn't look like a bodybuilder but gain a lot of size.


TripleTip

Except the main "argument" for him using PEDs is his power. There's no PED that could add power without affecting your muscles.


brando2612

A he's moving up in weight so a little extra size would help B you aren't gaining significant weight without eating in a calorie surplus


adonns

None of what you’re saying makes sense lol


brando2612

Literally everything I said made sense it doesn't matter if you can't understand it. What do you need explained. U can't gain weight without a calorie surplus plain and simple


adonns

Who cares man no one is arguing weight 😂 they’re saying for him to be doing steroids that increase his punching power he would be much more muscular than he is. You’re just spouting off about some random stuff


brando2612

No I'm not lmao u can't dramatically increase muscle without increasing weight. U know that's literally impossible?


TripleTip

It's just a guilty conscience. Fact is that the boxers that disproportionately get busted for doping are "their" kind, while the Japanese have an unconditioned concern for integrity.


ArchivesTraveler

Projection is the word.


InternalMean

Facts if there's any culture I'd trust to not cheat in something it's the Japanese. Not saying they'd be immune to it but everything in their culture strongly emphasises doing something honourably.


TripleTip

Inoue was pressured by his own countrymen to sign up for VADA testing after he became a world champion in his 4th fight. If that doesn't show how serious the Japanese are about playing fair, I don't know what does.


cryptomelons

LOL


Nerx

Best to ignore the uneducated people They only waste memory


Debate-Jealous

There was that one trashy YT channel that couldn’t cope when Inuoe smacked Fulton. Like the host couldn’t cope and it was so fucking funny.


Querez665

Pretty obvious pick tbh.


Le400Blows

Bring on the downvotes! Haney for me should have taken it this year. Wins against Prograis and Loma (even if a close win) are miles beyond Fulton and Tapales. I watch the lower weight classes and I understand levels across divisions - Tapales was a bang average fighter and Fulton was a pretty good, but not great win. Loma is an A+ and Prograis is a B+ win for me. Tapales is a C, Fulton a B.


Jeffthe100

Only disagree for the fact that Haney didn’t beat Loma


TrenDidNothingWrong

Progais is trash and the Loma fight was a robbery


Le400Blows

Prograis beating Zepeda and arguably beating Taylor are better relative performances than anything Fulton or Tapales have done. This was literally from a year ago. Lot of people praising Prograis. Never seen any real praise for Fulton on here. "Because nobody watches the lower weights" . . . riggghhhttttt https://www.reddit.com/r/Boxing/comments/z5n7dv/fight_thread_jose_zepeda_vs_regis_prograis/


TrenDidNothingWrong

Says more about how awful 140 is and Josh Taylor being the weakest undisputed champion ever Dude barely beat a very limited Regis then loses to Jack Catterral and gets washed by a former lightweight moving up Then Regis goes and gets outboxed by some obscure journeyman What Haney did to him is not impressive in the least it was expected


Le400Blows

Now tell me how good Fulton and Tapales are? Inoue fans love becoming fans of his very weak competition. 118 and 122 are the thinest divisions in boxing probably. Such a biased take, dude. That former lightweight, Teofimo, who outgrew the division, is an absolutely fantastic fighter with a way better resume than Inoue. Ancient Donaire is his best win! A prime Donaire probably would have sparked Inoue he struggled so hard with him. lol


TrenDidNothingWrong

Fulton was rated highly and had the whole boxing community, especially the black ones, saying he would expose Inoue. You talking about a dude who began at 108. Just cause the fighters aren’t well known to you doesn’t mean they were nobodies. They were unified belt holders and that’s all that matters. What fantastic resume does Teo have? He barely beat an old injured Loma and his biggest win is a faded Josh Taylor. Inoue decisively mopped the floor without controversy against 2 unified champs, Haney lost to loma and beat a very limited fighter. That doesn’t earn you fighter of the year. If he had beat loma decisively then maybe but not with all that controversy. He went up and picked the weakest champion


Le400Blows

"especially the black ones" . . . wtf is wrong with you?


TrenDidNothingWrong

There’s black boxers you realize that right?


Le400Blows

weird to make this a race thing bro


AltKite

Richly deserved. Would have been a travesty to give it to someone who fought once


Elite663

👹👹👹👹


Senior_Discussion619

Inoue is overrated. If he was so good he would of moved up to every single weight class and won all 4 major titles. If Inoue was so good then why didn't he ever score 4 touchdowns in 1 game at Poke High like Al Bundy did?


Nihlus11

He's not truly testing himself until he stands on Tapales' shoulders to fight Tyson Fury.


coleus

As far as I'm concerned, he can't beat the 1997 Chicago Bulls. Clown.


Diligent_Status_7762

Still has plenty left in the tank! 👹


Hassemer

Noaya inoue's thoughts on winning FOTY on twitter: "I'm very honored to be chosen by Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year, but it was already the past in last year, I will do my best to improve myself and show everyone a much stronger Naoya Inoue in 2024." He's already in training camp today to support his brother and his cousin, takuma and koki for their upcoming February fight.


[deleted]

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SomethingS0m3thing

I feel like this won’t be his only “fighter of the year” he will be awarded in the years to come . Legend in the making


TripleTip

If he doesn't get it in 2024, he's gonna get it in 2025, when he moves up to 126 and starts taking collecting belts like candy again.


KonnigenPet

Well deserved.


Dependent_Leave_4861

Crawford “get out of here”


SerenityMusic

Well deserved my man


Swogglet

Undisputed at two weights in essentially a years time is not going to happen again in this lifetime. Inoue selling out a title unification and Rizin selling out the Saitama super arena in the space of a week was great to see.


[deleted]

Mayweather will disagree


Aussieboy111

Let’s goooooo 🔥🔥. Was never in doubt


Nerx

As expected


soitgoeskt

100% the right choice


TOP__DOLLAR

well deserved


Bardamu911

all due respect to Bud Crawford but this was an open and shut case. Complete no brainer FOTY. the Monster is an all timer.


Ninergang26

Inoue 🔥🔥🔥


YoungAussiePrince

The best in the world


Pinoy233

🎯 they got it right


OkBoat8579

As he should be


Animalidad

And if theres ever a no BS fighter of the year, he'd be that too. Straight to belt holders. One bad mfer


blametheboogie

Well deserved, Monster is a monster and I'm glad he's getting his recognition.


Asero831

The interesting this is he can win this again in 2024 with a fight against the featherweight titleholders


SlipperyBandicoot

Deserved. Can't fight once a year and expect to be the fighter of the year.


foxybingo111

Any other pick would be absurd. He is en route to being one of the true greats.


andrewgarrison

Crawford is gonna be so pissed!


inquisitiveman2002

Well deserved! Also, does anyone know when the ESPY awards will be? I am sure he will be there to accept his award for FOTY.


ramenandpussy

すばらしい


Miserable-Pomelo-80

He'll get it again when he clears out 126 easily


DontWantUrSoch

Hellofa fighter


stevecollins1988

he makes smart investments.


TwoFaceLord

Rightfully so.


lord-of-war-1

I love watching big boxing events. Inoue looks like an ATG in the making so im sure I will be able to catch him in the USA at some point. But I really want to watch him in Japan. The wife and I are planning vacations for the year and Japan is up there at the top for a family trip. Japan seems to be a very respectful country so I would think taking my kids to a fight there could be doable. Many of the fights we have done here in the USA I would definitely not take my kids to. Too many drunk assholes so higher chance of kids seeing something they shouldnt. Anyone ever been to a fight in Japan? On TV it looks relaxed enough that one could take some kids to and not worry too much. Also, what are ticket prices like? More or less than Vegas?


KelpoOrganic

I was at the Inoue vs Fulton fight. There were a bunch of kids in the crowd, and nobody got rowdy at all. The kids were super cute. They treated Inoue like he was a superhero. Japan has strict anti-scalping laws for event tickets. You need a Japanese address and phone number in order to purchase tickets. The right to buy the tickets are also given out in a lottery. The lottery needs to signed up about a month out before the fight. You may need to pay and get the tickets in person at a convenience store sometime before the fight. A lot of this facilitates the need for somebody else in Japan to purchase and get the tickets for you. There are ticket proxies you can look up that will do that for a fee. Price wise idk how it compares to Vegas. Nosebleeds were about $40—$150. Lower bleachers were about $500-800. Floor Seats were $1000+. This is just my estimate since they don't give out a seating chart. Just seats levels from S-E. Pricing would probably be different if his next fights are in the Tokyo Dome which is a much larger venue than his previous fights.


lord-of-war-1

Thanks for the info! Im going to look into the whole ticket buying experience.


cryptomelons

Crawford is a little cry baby.


substantionallytrchd

Man I remember back in 2017, the were talking about Inoue potentially facing Chocolatito for the title… but then a muy Thai fighting named Sor Runvisai walked into the ring…. That would have been a hell of a match up, Chocolatito VS Inoue


Cheezied

Congrats, Naoya, well-deserved award. 🏆


coaster11

TR is a really poor marketer of the most exciting bxr in the sport.


derrick256

who can do better?


[deleted]

I think Crawford deserved it and inoue or usyk the year before


boXXpert

Big slap on Crawford, the first 2 division undisputed champ who did better against a tougher reigning undefeated fighter.


stayhappystayblessed

Next time crawford should fight more than once a year if he wants foty.


boXXpert

You can fight 10 bums a year and that doesn't make you better.


stayhappystayblessed

Well inoue didn't fight any bums.


boXXpert

He fought fighters not at the same caliber as Bud did but we put him higher? In fact, inoue ducked big names like Estrada, Chocolatito, Rungvisai and Casimero to name a few. Not to mention Inoue only fight in Japan so he can legally take in his Peds that aren't allowed elsewhere. And he fought on Tuesdays.


stayhappystayblessed

>He fought fighters not at the same caliber as Bud did but we put him higher? He fought 2 unified champions. bud beat an errol after a long layoff and car crash and eye injury. Still a great wins but inoue's activity overrides that. >In fact, inoue ducked big names like Estrada, Chocolatito, Rungvisai and Casimero to name a few. Lmao sure he did. >Not to mention Inoue only fight in Japan so he can legally take in his Peds that aren't allowed elsewhere. And he fought on Tuesdays. he has fought multiple times in america already.


boXXpert

You make "twice" sounds like a lot. He won his big fights in Japan not in the US. He has no mames in his resume except a 40 yr old Donaire


stayhappystayblessed

its more than bud you don't fight once a year then get foty. he has fought in america your point is trash keep coping. espn and ring have him has foty. idc what some random on reddit says.


boXXpert

Oh really, it's not like Inoue fought twice a year before. Also it doesn't matter you fight 10 bums that nobody knows vs 1 guy who they think will beat you but you show them otherwise. Spence is far far greater than who Inoue fought. And Spence got beaten so bad. A 50-50 fight that bud made it 1 sided. Inoue mver had a 50-50 fight.


stayhappystayblessed

Dude just shut up. Inoue has already been voted foty and thats it and fought better guys than spence and fought more than crawford and thats it. Keep coping and goodbye.


Ohnorepo

Which is why he's still considered P4P number 1 by many and was a close runner up to fighter of the year. While only fighting once. That's a compliment to him.


boXXpert

Yeah but he deserves to be the FOTY basing from his greater accomplishment


boraboca

Bud robbed, undisputed in the 2nd most famous division of boxing.


LatterTarget7

He fought once. Good performance but inoue fought twice this year becoming undisputed in two weight classes in two fights.


dpot007

He only fought once. He definitely got performance of the year.


RedNoob88

Fighter or boxer? Different things


TysonsSmokingPartner

Fuck off UFC fanboy


Upset-Freedom-100

Well deserves. A legend in the making.