Professional boxing world bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue (Ohashi, 29) will unify the throne with WBO world bantamweight champion Paul Butler (UK, 34) on December 13, 2022 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo.
As global attention focused on the unification of the world’s 4-group throne by “Monster”, Butler’s local media predicted the outcome of the throne unification match.
Butler’s greatest weapon is his “boxing brain”
British boxing media “British Boxing News” (web version) published a feature article on Inoue vs. Butler on December 8th. After analyzing the abilities of both, he supported Inoue’s KO victory.
The article points out that Butler is already a “loser” in the odds. Inoue, who has 20 KOs in 23 fights, is numerically dangerous enough, but in reality he is at a more dangerous level. Inoue’s punching power is natural and he has the power to KO his opponents in the first round.
On the other hand, Butler is currently on an eight-game winning streak, but analyzes that none of his opponents are suitable as practice opponents for the Inoue match. And while we expect Butler to take on Inoue for real, he said, “I believe he will be stopped within six rounds.”
Butler came to Japan on the 6th, and on the 8th, he practiced at Ohashi Gym, which belongs to Inoue. He showed off shadow boxing and punching bag punching, and according to reports such as sports newspapers, he said that his greatest weapon was his “boxing brain.”
He seems to be mentally relaxed, and immediately after arriving in Japan, he updated his Instagram story, showing himself smiling in a photo with Ohashi Gym chairman Hideyuki Ohashi (57), and sightseeing Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo. I also posted the situation.
Inoue, who is aiming to become the first Japanese player to become the world’s four-group unification champion, unveiled his practice on the 7th, showing off his flawless finish. According to sports newspapers and other reports, Chairman Ohashi pointed out Butler’s good timing for punches, and was wary that the left side was particularly strong.