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Age matters now for Naoya Inoue

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Naoya Inoue raises his fists during fighter arrivals ahead of his bout with David Picasso on December 27, 2025, at the Mohammed Abdo Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Inoue is in his early thirties, but he doesn’t look fresh anymore. It looks worn out. The face retains damage longer. Recovery is no longer imperceptible. These are tiny things in and of themselves, but they usually come together when a player gets out of his physical shape.

Age didn’t matter – until recently

The concern is not theoretical. Inoue took continuous punishment against Murodjon Akhmadaliev after a fight in which he was forced to work under pressure for long periods of time. He was also dropped by Cardenas, a moment that was special precisely because it was once unthinkable. Inoue has built his reputation on control. In his most recent appearances, this control has not been absolute.

This training camp has only added to the anxiety. Inoue looks visibly exhausted as she approaches the 122-pound limit. Not skinny. Not hot. Drained. The cut seems to take more of his energy than it used to, which is often one of the first places age shows. What was once routine now seems burdensome.

Moving to 126 and Espinoza’s problem

There is an obvious alternative. A move up to featherweight would remove most of that tension. Inoue was against it. The reasons are clear. The division is led by Rafael Espinoza, and a promotion would mean immediate pressure to face the established king of the weight class. If Inoue had moved up to 126 pounds and not fought Espinoza, the narrative would have quickly reversed. He would be seen as avoiding the best opponent available.

That’s why he stays at 122. It keeps cutting. He controls the situation on paper. But this decision comes with physical costs.

Age, damage and weight management are problems that can be overcome in themselves. The history of boxing is full of fighters who managed to achieve one or even two of these factors during their career. The danger comes when all three begin to overlap. Then the margins disappear.

Why this fight exists is a question

Inoue is still highly skilled. The power has not disappeared. Time is still elitist. What has changed is the buffer. Now he has to be right more often. It has less room to absorb errors. Arrows that once had no meaning now leave traces.

That’s why this fight even exists as a conversation. Not because Picasso is seen as a real threat. If Inoue is still at his best, the fight will be routine and one-sided. But if age has crept in even a little, it’s the kind of fighting that shows it. Not through domination, but through discomfort.

The American public largely ignored this fight because its outcome seemed preordained. This indifference must be earned. There is no catch of competition and the belief that Picasso belongs to Inoue’s level. The only thing that makes sense of this night is the uncertainty surrounding Inoue himself.

Saturday is not about whether Inoue can still win. The question is whether there is still a version of it that never paid for bugs.

Age has a way of silently answering these questions. Sometimes sooner than expected.

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Boxing

Eddie Hearn warns that Zuffa athletes could lose their world title eligibility

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Image: Eddie Hearn Says Zuffa Fighters Should Lose Access To World Titles

“I think there will be a large split in boxing now,” promoter Matchroom Hearn told the media. “If you go with Zuffa, you’re out of the governing bodies. I think that’s really what it’s going to have to be like.”

Hearn’s comments come at a time when Zuffa Boxing is gaining momentum and gaining attention from fighters and promoters across the sport. The long-term question was whether the events would interact with the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO systems, or go in a different direction.

Hearn explained his position.

“If you sign with Zuffa, you can’t win the world championship,” he said. “You can’t have it both ways.”

He pointed to the recent movement to include titleholders and challengers, arguing that fighters who leave the customary route are giving up some of what boxing has historically valued most.

“Legacy will always be the answer,” Hearn said.

This line leads to a real fight under the headlines. Zuffa can offer money, platform power and stern promotion via TKO. Time-honored boxing still offers belts, rankings and the story behind becoming a champion.

Many competitors will try to secure both if possible. Hearn is doubtful whether the balance can be maintained.

Hearn also criticized recent arguments against the Ali Act and said income transparency remains one of the strongest protections for combatants in the current US system.

Whether fans agree with Hearn or not, he touched on something real. Boxing may be heading down two separate paths, and fighters will soon have to decide which is more vital.

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Boxing

Moses Itauma is open to fighting the “legend” KO artist who wants to test his beard

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Moses Itauma open to facing KO artist ‘legend’ who wants to test his chin

Moses Itauma is willing to face the uncompromising heavyweight veteran after his last fight, a methodical fifth-round stoppage victory over Jermaine Franklin.

The 21-year-old showed his world-class potential last month, scoring a third-round knockout before stopping the typically tough Franklin with a powerful uppercut.

Itauma has since been named mandatory challenger for the WBO title, putting him in pole position to face the winner of the Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois fight at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester on May 9.

However, this highly developed talent is ranked No. 1 in the WBA and No. 2 in the WBC, which gives him several options to consider before his next assignment.

WITH Itauma is reportedly expected to return in JulySeveral candidates are already being considered as potential opponents, including the likes of Murat Gassiev and Filip Hrgovic.

As for a potential fight with Deontay Wilder, Itauma said DAZN in preparations for the American’s fight with Derek Chisora, that he would be open to fighting him.

“If he wins, yes. You have to weigh the risk against the reward. What do you get [from fighting] his?

“He is a legend in the sport and I really respect him, but you have to weigh the pros and cons.”

After suffering two knockdowns and beating Chisora ​​by split decision earlier this month, former world champion Wilder is looking for another chance.

I’m talking to ESPNThe 40-year-old said he was not in the mood to avoid potential opponents, including Itauma, who made a huge impression on him against Franklin.

“I’m a heavyweight. All the other characters are heavyweights. Why not? I’m not [dodging] anyone.

“I didn’t know who Moses was, but I saw his last fight with Franklin… What a damn KO. He seems like a potential champion. Why not test him?”

Since their confused encounter, Chisora ​​has demanded an immediate rematch with Wilder, who will likely face an alternate opponent in his next fight.

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Jared Anderson withdraws from May 9 fight with a torn bicep

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Image: Jarrell Miller Claims Jared Anderson Pulled Out of Their September 13th

Ring Magazine reports that Anderson withdrew from his fight with Solomon Dacres after suffering a bicep injury. The 10-round heavyweight bout was scheduled for Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester.

Anderson (18-1, 15 KO) was looking for another step back after a knockout loss to Martin Bakole in 2024. Instead, the 26-year-old now faces another delay at a bad time in his career.

The fight at Dacres was not a world-class test, but it had value. Anderson needed rounds, activity and a consistent win on a major heavyweight card. Now that’s gone, and the injury gives critics more room to question where his career is headed.

The reaction from boxing fans was fierce, with several responses pointing out Anderson’s injury history and durability. Some questioned whether his body would hold up in the heavyweight division. Others suggested he might have to consider considering the cruiserweight division if physical problems persist.

It may be tough, but it’s the kind of failure that changes the way you view your prospect. Anderson still has talent, but he’s no longer talked about as a pure future heavyweight star. Now he’s trying to prove he can stay vigorous long enough to rebuild.

Moving to Queensberry and fighting in the UK seemed like a desperate attempt to find a novel environment that could boost his confidence. But this bicep injury is a disaster because it adds another year of rust to a psyche that already looked feeble. You won’t rebuild your self-confidence at the gym.

A torn bicep effectively means Jared Anderson’s career will be in frigid storage until the end of 2026. Recovery from this type of surgery usually takes six to nine months before a player can even think about hitting a full-power shot with that hand.

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