Coach Junto Nakatani (32-0, 24 KO), Rudy Hernandez, admits that the Japanese boxer's performance against Sebastian Hernandez Reyes (20-1, 18 KO) was too weak to make far-reaching conclusions about possible superiority in a potential battle with Naoya Inoue (32-0, 27 KO).
Recall that Nakatani experienced significant difficulties in knocking out the Mexican, whose style, namely constant pressure and multi-strike combinations, caused serious problems for the Japanese fighter. Hernandez himself agreed that Nakatani's form left much to be desired. But style defines the fight, and the fight with Hernandez Reyes is not a one-to-one comparison in the context of a grand future derby.
“We have to be much better on the day of the fight with Inoue. We have several points to work on, and I hope they will work to our advantage. I don't know how fans perceive the potential fight with Naoya, but I know we have to be better than him, find a way to beat him. We will not run away, we will win,” said Rudy Hernandez.
“The styles of Hernandez Reyes and Inoue are completely different. Inoue is not as big and powerful as the Mexican. But don't get me wrong, I consider Inoue the best boxer in the world and number one regardless of weight category. He is still at the top,” added Nakatani’s coach.
“Junto has already shown that he doesn't give up and fights to the end. I don't even think about him being able to land a powerful punch on Inoue and knock him down. We must not be predictable, otherwise Inoue will wait for the right moment and catch Junto with his own punches, and he hits very hard. I don't think Nakatani could win this meeting early, but I think we will beat Inoue by points. Maybe we can take six and a half or five and a half rounds. If the opportunity presents itself, we will win by knockout. That would be great, wouldn't it? I keep my fingers crossed that this fight can be organized,” concluded the American coach.
