Naoya Inoue is undoubtedly one of the pound-for-pound superstars in the sport of boxing, boasting an undefeated record which has seen him become a multi-divisional four-belt undisputed champion.
However, the Japanese sensation now seems set to lose his undisputed title outside of the ring, after a mammoth super-bantamweight showdown was ruled out.
‘The Monster’ is the face of Japanese boxing and made history when he knocked out Paul Butler in 2022, becoming Japan’s first undisputed champion after adding Butler’s WBO bantamweight title to his collection.
Yet, it was Inoue’s run in the twelve months that followed that truly captured the attention of the western world, halting both unified super-bantamweight title-holders Stephen Fulton and Marlon Tapales in 2023 to conquer yet another weight-class.
Ever since, there has been demands for Inoue to venture further through the weight-classes, but the 31-year-old has decided to stick around at his optimal weight of 122lbs for now, stopping both Luis Nery and TJ Doheny in title defences this year.
Naoya Inoue by stoppage
27 -0 24 ko
16 of 17 of his last wins are by KO
And in championship fights
The skill is unreal
He’s special#InoueNerypic.twitter.com/YzoE5wGEMa— 112 Fighting Sports (@112FIGHTNSPORTS) May 6, 2024
Although, during that time, there has been one man calling for a showdown with Inoue but to no avail – WBA mandatory challenger and former unified champion, Murodjon Akhmadaliev.
The Uzbek has been demanding an opportunity to dethrone Inoue throughout 2024 but has continuously been snubbed, with Inoue’s announcement of an upcoming clash with Sam Goodman leading Akhmadaliev towards taking legal action.
Instead, it was presumed that Akhmadaliev would be the opponent for the second bout of Bob Arum’s three-fight plan for Inoue but on Instagram, ‘MJ’s’ promoter Eddie Hearn revealed that he doesn’t believe the fight will happen.
“No, [I don’t think Inoue-Akhmadaliev will happen during 2025].
“For some reason he will not fight him, even though it has been ordered twice.”
Consequently, it can be expected that Inoue will be stripped of his WBA world title during 2025 should the fight not take place.
Therefore, any proposed encounter with fellow undefeated Japanese pound-for-pound star Junto Nakatani during late 2025 would be for the unified title rather than the undisputed crown.
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