Undisputed super-bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue has established himself as a top three pound-for-pound fighter within the last couple of years and seems head and shoulders above each contender at 122lbs. Inoue is now poised to make a second defence of his WBC, WBA, WBO & IBF titles in September and it appears as though his opponent has been revealed, as purse bids have been called for the contest.
‘The Monster’ moved up in weight last year after conquering the bantamweight division with ease, then facing super-bantamweight poster boy Stephen Fulton for the unified titles on his debut at 122lbs and securing a dominant knockout win before doing the same to Marlon Tapales to pick up the remaining two belts in December.
In May, Inoue was dropped in the opening-round by Luis Nery in a grudge match affair but bounced back to stop the controversial Mexican in the sixth-round, leading to demands for Inoue to move up in weight and test himself further.
The Japanese sensation has since been linked to a return to the United Kingdom to fight on the Anthony Joshua card at Wembley Stadium, as well as a showdown with TJ Doheny in his home country. Eddie Hearn has now shut down any whispers that Inoue could fight in London and it seems as though Doheny will also miss out on the opportunity to challenge for the undisputed titles too.
Instead, the WBA have ordered Inoue to defend his titles against former WBA and IBF super-bantamweight champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev, demanding that the pair meet in the ring before September 25th.
“The World Boxing Association (WBA) Championships Committee ordered the mandatory bout between super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue and challenger Murodjon Akhmadaliev this Thursday, June 13.
“The pioneer organization sent the official communication to the parties, to inform both teams that the Japanese monarch must face Murodjon Akhmadaliev and gave them 30 days to negotiate, which will end on July 14.
“Championships rule C.10 states that the champion must defend the title against the top contender available within nine (9) months from the date you become champion.
“Inoue won the title on 26 December 2023 and his next mandatory defence should be no later than 25 September 2024, so he must face Akhmadaliev.
“If no agreement is reached or if either party refuses to sign the fight, the committee may call for an auction under the pioneer body’s internal rules.”
Although, Bob Arum told the ‘Three Knockdown Rule Podcast’ that Inoue will move up to featherweight after his September outing, possibly meaning that he could still defend his belts against Doheny before the WBA deadline and then vacate the titles himself during the aftermath.
However, Arum also stated that Inoue’s clash in September will be against the best available contender and the Uzbek is perceived by many to be the second best competitor in the division, despite his shock split-decision defeat to Marlos Tapales last year.
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