It's difficult to overstate the quality of the pending fight between WBC and WBO super bantamweight titleholder Stephen Fulton and three-weight world champion Naoya Inoue. The pair face off at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo on July 25 and the stakes could scarcely be higher.
Despite Fulton (21-0, 8 KOs) being a unified champion, this bout qualifies as his acid test at the pure elite level. A win over Inoue would see Fulton debut on any pound-for-pound list worth paying attention to and would forever be labelled as a milestone in his career. The American is an excellent boxer and fully believes in his ability.
Inoue (24-0, 21 KOs) has captured world titles at light flyweight, super flyweight, and bantamweight. In December, the Japanese hero became the first undisputed bantamweight champion in almost half a century when he relieved Paul Butler of the WBO title. A win over Fulton at the higher weight will convince many that Inoue is the best fighter in the world today.
MORE: Sign up to watch Stephen Fulton vs. Naoya Inoue on ESPN+
While Errol Spence Jr. vs. Terence Crawford, which takes place four days later, has received most of the attention this month, don't be surprised if Inoue vs. Fulton trumps it in terms of action and excitement.
Stephen Fulton vs. Naoya Inoue betting odds
Per BetMGM, Inoue is the -333 favorite, while Fulton is the +260 underdog.
MORE: All you need to know about Fulton vs. Inoue
Stephen Fulton vs. Naoya Inoue betting trends
The following odds are available at BetFair:
- Fulton via KO/TKO: +900
- Fulton via decision: +350
- Inoue via KO/TKO: -110
- Inoue via decision: +225
- Draw: +1400
MORE: How to bet on combat sports
Stephen Fulton vs. Naoya Inoue prediction, best bets
Despite the odds favoring Inoue, this should be a highly competitive fight.
Fulton presents problems that Inoue has rarely, if ever, encountered. The American is a natural 122-pounder, he's known for his defensive prowess, and he's arguably the best pure boxer with whom Inoue has ever shared the ring. The 29-year-old Fulton has never been down as a professional and his tactical know-how should keep him out of danger early.
But 12 rounds is a long time.
If Fulton is having success off the backfoot, you can almost guarantee that Inoue will be wearing him down with suffocating pressure. The Japanese is excellent at cutting off the ring, and his presence and positioning as an offensive fighter are sure to empty Fulton's tank over time.
When a fighter gets tired, they lose their shape, their reflexes, and their durability. That spells doom. Inoue is a patient assassin and he's likely to break through with something devastating late on, which would inevitably force the referee or Fulton's corner to call a halt to the action.
Sporting News prediction: Inoue TKO 10 (Per BetMGM: +1400/ Per Betfair: +1300)
