Angelo Leo plans to make another statement this weekend. However, he already has one eye on the future.
Leo returns to the ring on Saturday, May 9, at the Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta. He will defend his IBF featherweight title against Ra’eese Aleem live on DAZN.
At the same time, talk continues to grow about a future clash with Naoya Inoue. The pound-for-pound star could move up to the featherweight division soon. If that happens, Leo believes many people are overlooking the dangers waiting for Inoue.
Recently, Leo studied Inoue’s latest fight against Junto Nakatani. While he praised Inoue’s performance, he also noticed openings.
“He looked good. He looked sharp in there,” Leo told Brunch Boxing. “I did see that Nakatani was tagging him a few times and won some rounds.”
Even so, Leo understands the challenge Inoue presents.
“He’s definitely vulnerable, but it’s going to be a tough task ahead,” Leo said. “We’d have to be really on our P’s and Q’s for that fight.”
Leo stressed the importance of preparation and strategy. He believes success against elite fighters comes from careful planning.
“That’s the whole thing about game planning,” Leo explained. “Finding their strengths and weaknesses and then capitalizing on it.”
He also admitted that watching film only reveals so much.
“Of course, it’s different when you’re watching from the outside until you’re actually in there,” Leo continued. “But we try our best to do what we got to do and kind of visualize everything when it happens.”
Leo saved his strongest comments for those expecting Inoue to dominate featherweight immediately.
“Yeah, they got another thing coming for them,” Leo warned. “The featherweight division is a tough division. We hit harder in this division.”
Then, Angelo Leo delivered an even more direct message.
“I’m just a different beast,” he said. “I’m a different beast and I will prove that sooner or later.”
Before any mega fight discussions become reality, Leo must handle business against Aleem. The challenger enters the bout riding a three-fight win streak. Meanwhile, Leo will make the second defense of his IBF featherweight championship.
If Leo wins impressively, the calls for an Inoue showdown will only grow louder.
