Naoya Inoue's latest win has caught the eye of former World Lightweight Champion Anthony Crolla. The retired boxer shared his thoughts on Inoue's impressive performance and his place among boxing's elite.
Crolla praised Inoue's recent victory over TJ Doheny. He noted that while Doheny put up a tough fight, Inoue's skill and power were ultimately too much to handle.
"Doheny did well and showed his toughness, but the end was coming regardless of the injury. Inoue's just on another level," Crolla said.
When it comes to pound-for-pound rankings, Crolla puts Inoue firmly in the top three. He sees Terence Crawford and Oleksandr Usyk as the other contenders for the top spot.
"You could make a case for any of them as number one, but I lean towards Crawford. Still, Inoue's right up there with the best of the best," Crolla explained.
Looking ahead, Inoue's promoter Bob Arum has big plans. He's aiming for a Vegas show next year, with Saudi Arabia also in the mix as a potential venue.
Crolla, who now serves as a brand ambassador for Free Bets, also shared his thoughts on upcoming fights.
This weekend, Queensberry hosts a card at London's York Hall. Crolla expects Sam Naokes to stop Gianluca Ceglia just after the halfway point. He's also excited to see Steven Cairns, who impressed in Belfast, and Luke McCormack, one of the country's top amateur talents.
Next weekend, all eyes will be on Canelo vs Edgar Berlanga. Crolla predicts an action-packed start.
"The early rounds will be fan-friendly. Berlanga's got serious power, but Canelo's defensively cute. I see Canelo getting the stoppage between rounds seven and nine," Crolla predicted.
Looking further ahead, Jack Catterall faces Regis Prograis in Manchester on October 26. Crolla's brother, William, will feature on the undercard, adding a personal touch to the event.
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With so much action on the horizon, boxing fans have plenty to look forward to. Crolla's insights offer a unique perspective from someone who's been in the ring with the best.