Tim Bradley has raised fresh questions about Naoya Inoue ahead of a possible fight with Junto Nakatani, saying the undisputed champion got hit too much recently and may be starting to get battle-worn.
“I’ve been going back and forth on my pick,” Bradley said on his channel, talking about this Saturday’s Inoue vs. Nakatani clash. “I don’t know who I’m going to favor yet. I’m going to let y’all know later, man. I don’t know. I really don’t know.”
Bradley explained that Nakatani’s length, timing, and counter punching give him tools that could trouble Inoue more than recent opponents. “Nakatani got a puncher’s chance,” Bradley said. “Anyway, he’s got to close the distance on him. The thing is, is he going to do it safely?”
He also pointed to a recurring flaw in Inoue’s style, noting moments when the undisputed champion can be caught stepping in.
“He’s vulnerable. He gets hit. He does,” Bradley said. “And so does Nakatani.”
Bradley praised Nakatani’s use of range and setup game, saying everything starts from his lead hand.
“Everything is all predicated off that lead hand and if he can draw his opponent in,” Bradley said. “He wants you to reach so he can teach.”
Still, Bradley sees Inoue as the more adaptable fighter, which is why he cannot fully commit to the upset call.
“You can never predict. You look at Inoue fights, and this guy doesn’t fight the same,” Bradley said. “He’s always adjusting his game according to the style that he’s facing.”
Bradley also questioned whether years of activity could be catching up with Inoue after recent fights.
“He got hit too much,” Bradley said. “I’m like, is he starting to get battle-worn?”
Even with those concerns, Bradley expects both men at their best if the fight happens.
“It’s going to be a hell of a fight, man,” Bradley said. “These guys going to beat the living [expletive] out of each other.”
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Last Updated on 2026/04/26 at 5:17 PM
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