Could Naoya Inoue Best Bantamweight Legend Orlando Canizales?

3Kings Boxing Fantasy Match: Naoya Inoue vs Orlando Canizales

Orlando Canizales stands across the ring from Naoya Inoue
Orlando Canizales vs Naoya Inoue fantasy match (credit: Al Bello, Naoki Fukuda)

How Does Naoya Inoue Size Up Against Orlando Canizales?


Two-division undisputed world champion and Japanese superstar Naoya “Monster” Inoue is one of the best in boxing and currently sits at the top of the mountain in the sport’s lower-weight divisions. Currently ranked third in 3kingsboxing.com’s Top Ten Fighters rankings, the 31-year-old from Japan is a future Hall of Famer. But how would Naoya Inoue fare in a bantamweight fantasy matchup against a lower-weight legend in Hall of Famer Orlando Canizales?

A HISTORY LESSON

For younger fans unfamiliar with Canizales, he’s considered one of the best to ever lace on a pair of boxing gloves at 118 pounds. The pride of Laredo, Texas won the IBF bantamweight title with a fifteenth-round stoppage over Kelvin Seabrooks in July 1988. He defended that title a division-record sixteen times before vacating the belt in December 1994.

In the ring, Canizales was the definition of a complete fighter who could outbox you or sit in the pocket and go to war. His footwork, boxing skills, and ability to go to the body helped make the Texan such a standout fighter. In addition, he had an iron chin and could hurt you with either hand.

Inoue shares many of those same qualities. His talent and power were present during his most recent outing – a sixth-round stoppage over two-division champion Luis Nery in May 2024.

HOW THEY WOULD MATCH UP?

The key to this dream fight would be who would control the distance and win the battle of the jabs. Canizales has faster feet and overall better footwork than Inoue. He would force The Monster to come forward. That would be to the advantage of Canizales, one of the elite counterpunchers in boxing history.

Inoue suffered a knockdown in his win over Nery. He was also hurt in his dramatic decision victory over Nonito Donaire in November 2019. If Nery and Donaire wobbled The Monster, so could Canizales.

The Japanese fighter would have his moments. A weakness of Inoue is his tendency to leave himself open when he punches. Canizales would notice that flaw. He would use his legs to avoid enough shots, and the speed to make him pay.

Inoue has never faced someone with the skill, speed, and punching power of Canizales. At 118, Canizales was a machine and a superior fighter. In a fantasy matchup, he beats Inoue by a close unanimous decision.

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About Mike W.2091 Articles
Mike is the host of boxing podcast "Pound 4 Pound Boxing Report" and is a Senior Writer for 3kingsboxing.com.