Sports · Combat Sports · 6 hrs ago
Boxing champion says Bruce Carrington may be a bigger test for Naoya Inoue
Naoya Inoue may move up to featherweight, where two champions could become key opponents.
Inoue is the undisputed super bantamweight champion, and Japanese boxing champion Mugi-chā Nakagawa discussed the division on his YouTube channel.
Nakagawa picked WBC champion Bruce Carrington as the tougher test, saying he sees him as stronger than WBO champion Rafael Espinoza.
Carrington has won all 18 of his fights, with 10 knockouts, according to Nakagawa.
Carrington and Espinoza have both signalled interest in a unification fight, but it is not clear whether one will happen in the next six months.
Nakagawa believes Carrington would beat Espinoza, though Espinoza is taller, more aggressive and more spectacular.
He said a fight between Carrington and Inoue would be hard to predict if it happened now.
Mitsuki Nakagawa said Bruce Carrington could be a tougher opponent for Naoya Inoue than WBO featherweight champion Rafael Espinoza.
Nakagawa said Carrington has better speed, defense and punching power than Stephen Fulton, whom Inoue has fought.
Carrington has 18 wins, including 10 knockouts, according to Nakagawa.
Carrington called for a unification fight with Espinoza after Espinoza's latest title defense, and Espinoza indicated he would accept.
Nakagawa predicted Carrington would beat Espinoza but said the outcome of a Carrington-Inoue fight would be uncertain.
- Who
- Mitsuki Nakagawa discussed Bruce Carrington, Rafael Espinoza and Naoya Inoue.
- What
- Nakagawa said Carrington may be a tougher test for Inoue than Espinoza.
- When
- The article was published on November 3, 2026. Espinoza's title defense took place on October 31, Japan time November 1.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- Nakagawa was discussing the featherweight division that Inoue is considering entering.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Rafael Espinoza defeated Ricardo Brandon by third-round technical knockout in a title defense.
Carrington called on X for a unification fight, and Espinoza indicated he would take the fight.
Yahoo!ニュース published Nakagawa's comments about Carrington, Espinoza and Inoue.
- Carrington's record
- 18 wins, 10 by knockout
- Espinoza's latest defense
- Third-round TKO win over Ricardo Brandon
- Brandon's ranking
- 15th in the featherweight division
- Carrington's height
- About 174 centimetres, according to Nakagawa
- Possible unification
- WBC champion Carrington and WBO champion Espinoza
- Nakagawa's prediction
- Carrington would beat Espinoza; a Carrington-Inoue fight would be uncertain
What people are saying
I think Carrington is stronger than Espinoza.
Carrington has better speed than Fulton, better defense than Fulton, and more punching power than Fulton.
I think Carrington would win if he fought Espinoza.
If Carrington and Naoya Inoue fought right now, I really don't know who would win.