Missing jigsaw piece for Inoue or Butler
By James Blears
Naoya Inoue (23-0, 20 KO) and Paul Butler (34-2, 15 KO) fight at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo on December 13 for the undisputed bantamweight title.
Undefeated Inoue, aged 29, is a three-weight world champion. He currently holds the WBC, WBA (super) and IBF bantam belts.
British boxer Butler, aged 34, is standing plum square in his way with the WBO version. It's Paul's first pro fight outside of Britain, and it'll be a baptism of fire, under fire in the magnificent Land of the Rising Sun.
The winner will be the first undisputed bantamweight champion since Enrique Pinder defeated Rafael Herrera in 1972 – over 50 years ago!
An awesome task for Paul, which became even more daunting after Naoya dispatched Nonito Donaire in just two rounds with two knockdowns in their June 2020 rematch, after their overture classic in the World Boxing Super Series final, for the Muhammad Ali Trophy, in 2019.
In that first epic clash, everything jarringly altered after an uncharacteristic lapse of concentration along the ropes by Naoya in round two. The Filipino Flash pounced on it in an instant, landing a mighty left hook, which simultaneously gashed Naoya's right brow, fractured his eye socket and broke his nose. All that with one punch!
Even though he was seeing double for the rest of the fight, his nose was dripping blood and his cut was weeping, Naoya dug deep and deeper, retaliating in kind, by digging a crunching left to Nonito's liver in round 11. At the recent World Boxing Council Convention in Acapulco, Nonito admitted it was by far the most painful punch he'd ever received, yet in the midst of his suffering ordeal, he somehow managed to withstand its hellacious shockwaves, gain precious seconds by staggering almost bent double to a place of his choosing, drop to the canvas, to then somehow get up before 10 and fight on until the final bell yet lose a UD. Legendary Masahiko “Fighting” Harada presented Naoya with the prestigious Trophy.
The name Naoya means: Esteem. Inoue's more famous and ominous nickname is: “Monster,” and by George he's earned it! Only three opponents have managed to go the distance with him, yet they all lost on points. Those who flinched, but didn't wilt under fire are: Ryoichi Taguchi, David Carmona and Nonito Donaire, first time around.
Of this upcoming fight Naoya has clearly stated: “I want my name to go down in international boxing history and to change Japan's boxing history.” He's the only Japanese boxer in history to be ranked as the Best Pound For Pound by The Ring Magazine.
Paul Butler's nickname is the rather dusty and overused: “Baby Faced Assassin”. From Ellesmere Port, Liverpool, a better nickname might have been: “Cheshire Cat,” immortalised with its broad grin, by Lewis Carroll in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. It smirked and suggested: “Imagination is the only weapon in the war with reality.”
Paul is much less fanciful and far more down to earth than that. He says: “I'm under no illusions as to the size of the task that faces me, but I've been going to bed, dreaming of becoming undisputed bantamweight champion of the world. Inoue is a phenomenal fighter, but not one person should underestimate me, my skills or my resolve.”
Paul won a split decision against fellow Brit Stuart Hall to win the IBF bantamweight title way back in 2014. Then Paul's two losses were painful lessons, but he learned from them. The first was in 2015 against IBF bantamweight champion Zolani Tete, from Eastern Cape, South Africa. A pitch perfect rising left stab of a jutting uppercut from the gangling tall southpaw, dispatched and dropped him like a slab. He beat the count but pitched backwards and the Referee saved him at one minute – thirty four seconds.
His second defeat was at the hands of Emmanuel Rodriguez for the vacant IBF bantamweight title three years later. In round one, Paul was dropped by a left hook and then again by a flurry. But he got up both times and fought on to lose a UD. What resolve and guts! Since then Paul has won eight times.
Rodriguez came badly unstuck against Inoue. He was stopped in round two, having been dropped three times, after making the fundamental mistake of trying to trade in a slugfest with a ring pirate swinging a cutlass. He now says: “I don't believe Butler will last five rounds with Inoue.”
To his credit Paul has stuck to his task and he won a UD against Jonas Sultan for the vacant WBO Interim title. He was due to fight absolute champion John Riel Casimero who cancelled twice and was then stripped. So Paul was elevated to full champion.
Most opponents of Naoya Inoue are confounded by his speed, befuddled by his pinpoint accuracy, excruciatingly creased, folded and reduced to origami by his body attack, stunned by his left hooks and straight rights to the head and swiftly, rather than ultimately overwhelmed.
To defeat Naoya Inoue, Paul Butler must try to force him to retreat on the back foot, which he isn't used to doing, as retreat isn't part of his repertoire. He must try and reach into the typhoon while resisting its gusts and gusto. He must try to weather the ferocious initial onslaught and establish his own terms.
Few expect much of Paul except his team and himself and consequently some say there's no pressure on him. This is palpably untrue. By going to Tokyo, he's boldly marching into the lion's den!
He himself states: “Inoue is one of the very best in the last 20 to 30 years. We're all systems go. If I beat him in Japan, I believe it'll be the best English boxing victory in history.”
Paul Butler must serve up something hot and spicy and burn the palate, to stand a chance of victory against “The Monster.” A tale of the unexpected, to extinguish the firepower of “The Dragon.” No one could have put it better than the King of Cool Dean Martin, who liked a smoke.
Crooner and comedian Dean, an ex Black Jack dealer, who perfected the art of appearing drunk, but whose impeccable timing was fueled via ice water coursing through his veins drawled:
“When your opponent is sitting there holdin´ all the aces, there's only one thing you can do. KICK OVER THE TABLE!
How to watch Inoue vs Butler
Bios
NAOYA “Monster” INOUE
Japan
WBC, IBF, WBA Super Bantamweight Champion
Age: 29
Date of birth: April 10, 1993
Residence, birthplace: Zama, Kanagawa, Japan
Record: 23-0, 20 KOs
Total rounds: 127
World championship fights: 18-0, 16 KOs
Height: 5’5″ – 165cm
Reach: 67.5″ – 171cm
Stance: Right-handed
Manager: Sayuri Ohashi
Trainer: Shingo Inoue
PAUL “Baby Faced Assassin” BUTLER
England
WBO Bantamweight World Champion
Age: 34
Date of birth: Nov. 11, 1988
Residence: Ellesmere Port, Cheshire
Birthplace: Chester, Cheshire
Record: 34-2, 15 KOs
Total rounds: 254
World championship fights: 1-2, 0 KOs
Height: 5’6″ – 168cm
Reach: 65″ – 165cm
Stance: Right-handed
Manager, trainer: Joe Gallagher
WBC Top 10 Bantamweight Champions
1. Carlos Zarate (Mexico)
2. Eder Jofre (Brazil)
3. Ruben Olivares (Mexico)
4. Rafael Herrera (Mexico)
5. Veeraphol Nakhonluang (Thai)
6. Joichiro Tatsuyoshi (Japan)
7. Jungil Byun (Korea)
8. Yasuei Yakushiji (Japan)
9. Hozumi Hasegawa (Japan)
10. Shinsuke Yamanaka (Japan)
