Naoya Inoue’s final defense of his world heavyweight titles has been delayed on Christmas Eve after opponent Sam Goodman was injured in a sparring session.
Japanese star Inoue, who has been undisputed in his division since knocking out Marlon Tapales a year ago, will now fight Australia’s Goodman in Tokyo on Friday, January 24.
Goodman’s camp announced Saturday that the 26-year-old suffered a cut above his left eye that required four stitches after what the fighter said on Instagram was a “holy accident.”
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Highlights from Inoue’s victory over TJ Doheny in September, which saw him remain the undisputed world heavyweight champion.
Goodman has won all 19 of his professional fights, including eight by knockout, and was last in the ring in July when he defeated Thailand’s Chaino Worawut by unanimous decision.
The undefeated Inoue, who has 25 knockouts in his 28 wins and stopped TJ Doheny in his previous fight in September, said on social media: new dates
“Let’s fight with our best forces.”
Inoue became the undisputed bantamweight champion when he stopped Paul Butler in December 2022 before moving up in weight and continuing to dominate.
The 31-year-old knocked out Luis Neri in May of this year and then scored a seventh-round stoppage over Dohen four months later.
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