When boxing turned an utter obsession again within the mid-90s, it was laborious to think about the likes of Barrera, Naz, and Tito Trinidad ever being changed as my favorite fighters. Within the years that adopted, no different boxers captivated my creativeness like those who acquired me hooked on the game. That modified when Naoya “The Monster” Inoue got here alongside. The younger prodigy’s dynamic fashion, crunching physique assault, and humble manner embodied every thing there may be to love a couple of boxer.
Dwelling simply throughout the East China Sea, a visit to see the Japanese “Monster” from ringside appeared possible, however the timing was by no means proper: shut sufficient to be in attain, but far sufficient to not fairly be doable over a weekend. So, when a blockbuster showdown versus fellow undefeated, multi-weight champion Junto “Large Bang” Nakatani was scheduled for the prolonged Could Day vacation, the celebs lastly aligned. A coaching accomplice eagerly jumped on board, and a superfight tour abruptly turned viable. Drawback was, with the anticipated demand so excessive, possibilities of securing a ticket have been slim. Gross sales went on-line at 5pm, March sixth; at precisely 5:02pm the message from my journey companion got here by: “I did it! I’ve our tickets.” The journey was formally on.
Arriving Friday right into a rain-swept Tokyo with hours to kill earlier than the resort’s 3 pm check-in, I armed myself with an umbrella from the closest konbini retailer and wandered by the early morning rush hour amongst the white-collar employees, neatly dressed college kids, and in a single day revellers nonetheless returning house. A comatose salaryman lay in opposition to a pillar in the course of Shinjuku’s sprawling station; a girl gently bumped head first into the ticket machine in entrance of me, dozing out and in of sleep on her toes. The clouds receded as I took within the streets of Kabukicho, snapping a couple of pics of the well-known Godzilla head and surrounding alleys, earlier than linking with my battle companion and whiling away the night dissecting the Barrera vs Morales trilogy over steaming ramen noodles and chilly Asahi, pleasure effervescent for the massive day forward.
With the Tokyo Dome doorways set to open at 1 pm, by noon crowds swelled on the quick stroll from the metro below a superb blue sky, the ambiance exterior already buzzing. A line for the merchandise tent stretched across the nook, a number of objects marked as “bought out”. Swept alongside in a tide of consumers, an Inoue t-shirt, glove keyring, and battle poster went into the basket with out a lot thought. A “Monster” keychain card thrown in without spending a dime on the checkout softened the blow of the 12,000 Yen (£55) invoice, and a stunning battle programme added to the memento stash.
One other hour of slow-moving queues later, I made it into the Dome, instantly greeted by a younger woman holding a jet-pack of beer. Would I like one? Certainly, I’d. “Sorry, no money.” Financial institution card and cell fee each being declined in speedy succession, and going through the grim prospect of nothing to eat or drink for the following ten hours, I elbowed my method by the concourse and pushed open the curtain, unveiling the huge 55,000 capability area. Halfway by the opening bout, the stands have been filling up shortly. Thankfully, my buddy was in a position to prime up a metro card to spend on the meals stalls, however the finish of the strains snaked out of sight, each journey to the gent’s room costing a half-hour funding within the crammed corridors.
The undercard flew by, regardless of the horrendous queues between fights and all six contests going the space. A home barnburner between Sora Tanaka and Jin Sasaki supplied the spotlight, whereas Inoue’s youthful brother Takuma made a formidable defence of his WBC bantamweight title in opposition to native legend Kazuto Ioka within the chief assist. A four-weight champion with retirement in sight, Ioka exited to rapturous applause in recognition of a superb profession, and it was nice to see Terence “Bud” Crawford, seated ringside, get an enormous reception, too.
Round 9:30pm emcee Michael Buffer signalled the graduation of the principle occasion, Nakatani getting into first, trying relaxed in a glittering gold gown. An epic ringwalk for the undisputed champ adopted, flares and lights blazing to a raucous electrical guitar solo, a spectacle to match any in Vegas, Wembley, or Riyadh Season historical past. Standing silently with the gang for the nationwide anthem, I took in a stirring panoramic view, Japanese flag flying on the massive overhead screens, anticipation oozing across the area. Buffer’s iconic catchphrase was duly distributed, one other merchandise ticked off my boxing bucket record, after which it was time.
The conflict of stances and techniques was evident from the off, each males feinting, baiting, and posturing for place, a traditional high-stakes chess match. Inoue was busier and extra aggressive early, although overreaching at occasions; Nakatani was extra reactive, trying to time a devastating left-hand counter, a number of whistling by simply millimetres from influence. Issues heated up by midway as “Large Bang’s” offensive rhythm started to click on, “The Monster” being compelled onto the again foot, his normal repertoire of pictures deserting him. Nice match-ups inevitably produce ebbs and flows, and after a sustained wave of Nakatani momentum, the champ re-asserted himself, crashing house stable rights and leaping left uppercuts to stamp his authority down the ultimate stretch.
Turning to one another on the remaining bell, my pal seemed drained. “I really feel like I haven’t breathed for the reason that battle began. Who gained?”
“Inoue. It will likely be unanimous.” I had little question. Savouring the ambiance and absorbed within the motion, I hadn’t saved a reside round-by-round tally, however it appeared a transparent 8-4, 7-5 kind of battle to me, and that’s precisely the way it was introduced. Nakatani fought admirably and proved his value past query, however Inoue got here out a deserved winner in opposition to his greatest rival on his greatest ever stage.
And but, there was a lingering sense the efficiency was one way or the other underwhelming. Had Junto’s possibilities been unfairly dismissed, or had the burden of expectation merely been too heavy? Inoue admitted afterwards to feeling “relieved”, acknowledging the massive toll on his psychological stamina. Maybe there was additionally proof that his abilities have been, at 33, ever-so-slightly in decline. Or maybe, extra pertinently, we simply noticed a fantastic fighter do what he ought to in opposition to an elite opponent: battling, adapting, resurging, triumphing.
Leaving the stadium proved virtually more durable than getting in, hundreds of our bodies plodding one-by-one by the revolving exits. Stepping exterior and heaving an enormous sigh below the glowing Dome, the throngs and the big-fight vitality dissipated into the evening as we headed throughout city on foot, avoiding the subway. A cry of “Nao-ya!” from a passing group briefly caught us off guard; realising it was a shout-out to my “Monster” t-shirt, we returned the pleasant smiles and thumbs ups with shouts of Inoue! Inoue!
Arriving on the Golden Gai, a warren of slender alleys comprising over 200 tiny field bars, we shook off an particularly persistent tout, ducking inside a random doorway. “Hello. Our cowl cost– Huh, Inoue battle?!”
Our chosen door simply occurred to be staffed by an enormous boxing fan. 5 minutes of excitable speak later, we nonetheless hadn’t sat down. Quizzing us enviously concerning the battle, we have been solely too glad to regale him with our tales from ringside. When my pal pulled some Inoue stickers from his memento bag, gifting one to our new comrade, he held it aloft like a successful lottery ticket.
“For me? Woaaah, Sugoi!” (Superb). “Subsequent spherical free for you guys.”
The boxing chatter flowed freely into the small hours, reminiscing about Inoue’s best hits and different well-known Japanese boxers. Finally bidding fond farewells and nonetheless coming down from the excessive of the battle, we zigzagged by the still-bustling neon-lit streets because the morning solar started its rise, pondering the day’s occasions, the pound-for-pound rankings, and potential future match-ups.
By Sunday, there have been already studies on social media that “Uncle Turki” needed to host a mouth-watering 2027 megafight between Inoue and “Bam” Rodriguez. The seed was planted. Might we go once more? Can a as soon as in a lifetime journey be repeated? Completely. Overlook the misplaced hours standing in queues and practically shedding my thoughts within the maze-like metro. The sights and sounds of Tokyo, the izakayas, the folks, the Dome, the ringwalks, The Monster… it was value each penny.
What an occasion. What a visit. A battle fan’s dream come true. –Matt O’Brien
