Naoya Inoue remains confident on his path to super bantamweight victory despite facing unexpected setbacks in his pursuit. The Japanese powerhouse known as The Monster was originally scheduled for an undisputed showdown against Australia’s Sam Goodman on December 24th; unfortunately a last-minute miscommunication has resulted in this fight being postponed until next year due to last minute technicalities.
At 31, Inoue needed to delay his third title defense against Goodman. Now scheduled for January 24th at Ariake Arena in Koto-Ku, Tokyo Japan – due not only to scheduling conflicts within Inoue’s camp but also due to Goodman suffering a severe cut on his left eye during training which required healing time – the postponement has resulted in his third defense being delayed until then.
In response to the delay, Inoue took to social media to express his perspective on the unexpected turn of events. Demonstrating his relentless spirit and readiness, he posted images showcasing his impeccable physique. “I think it’s only a plus for me to have an extra month to prepare,” Inoue remarked, promising to deliver a match of the highest caliber.
Inoue’s recent performances underline his dominance in the ring. Following a sixth-round knockout victory over Luis Nery at the Tokyo Dome in May, witnessed by a crowd of more than 50,000 fans, Inoue continued his winning streak by defeating TJ Doheny with a seventh-round knockout. However, another challenge looms on the horizon as he is expected to defend his title against Uzbekistan’s Murodjon Akhmadaliev after his upcoming match.
Murodjon Akhmadaliev Eager for a Confrontation with Inoue
Murodjon Akhmadaliev quickly followed his victory against Ricardo Espinoza to secure the WBA interim super bantamweight championship by turning his attention toward Naoya Inoue, criticizing Inoue for failing to meet him as mandatory challenger despite their contract requirements. Akhmadaliev voiced through translator “If he don’t want me, just explain,” emphasizing his intent to follow by title rules that come with championship titles.
Akhmadaliev held both WBA (Super) and IBF titles from 2020-2023 before losing them due to Inoue’s rise, declaring: “I’m ready, let’s go Inoue!” However, following its postponement it appears Akhmadaliev may still have to wait longer before getting his shot against Naoya Inoue early next year – leaving fans concerned over its effect.